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. PROCEEDINGS ^^ 



OF THE 



SABBATH CONVENTION: 



HELD AT 



^THE CITY OF ROCHESTER, 



July SOtb and 21st, 1842« 



??CBLISKF.D BY DIRECTION OP "THE CONVENTION. 



n 



ROCHEStEIli 

"William alling, printed 

1842, * 






^i^^^ 









0. 



THE SABBATH CONVENTION. 



The Convention met at the First Baptist Churr^h in the city of Ro- 
<5hester, on Wednesday, July 20th, at 3 o'clock, P. M., in accord- 
•ance with the following Cijcular : 

CONVENTION. 

To ilie Friend i of the Sahhath, in Western Ne^-Yorh.: 

The Sabbath, in all its influence — in its acknowledged bear- 
ings on the physical, mental, social and moml improven>ent of man- 
kind — on their welfare and happiness as individuals, and their pros- 
perity as communities — on thei'f ]orospects, whether for this world or 
fi-he next, is one of the most valuable of all our civil and religious in- 
stitutions. With its right observance and improvement are connected 
the most invaluable blessings ; vn\\\ its desecration, detriment and 
suffering, and the frowns of Him who is the God of providence as well 
as j^race. 

Though much has indeed been done within the fev/ past years, for 
the better observance of the Sabbath, much more remams io hi done. 
To extend information and correct views on this all important sub- 
ject ; 1;0 awaken interest by discussion and a comparison of senti- 
ments.; to elevate the standard of the Sabbath's observance ; to im- 
press its obligations and tlie high advantages of its right improve- 
ment ; to consider what may be done for extending and giving power 
to its instructions and worship — in staying its desecration on our post- 
routes and rail-roads, lakes, rivers and canals, thus securmg as their 
inalienable right, the rest and other invaluable benefits of the Sabbath 
to hundreds of thousands of boatmen and others now obliged to labor 
on that day ; to inquire, in short, how iis highest blessings may best 
be extended to oar entire land ; these are a few of the many objects 
and ends that are dear to every friend of sound policy, patriotism, 
humanity, and religion. 

With these views and objects, the undersigned, citizens of Roches- 
ter, respectfully and earnestly invite a Convention of Western New- 
York, to meet and deliberate on the suljject of the Sabbath, at the 
First Baptist Church in Rochester, on Wednesd-ay, the 20th of July, 
at 3 o'clock, P. M. The Convention will be continued from day to 
day, and it is earnestly desired that all classes of the community be 
fully represented. Not only all individuals interested in the subject, 
but churches, congregations, and the friends of the Sabbath in the va- 
rious tov/ns, by their delegates, and particularly forwarders, boatmen, 



all'persons* connect3cT with rail-roads, and business men generally^ 
are requested to be present. A full Convention and one of deep in- 
terest is anticipated, and one that shall tell with power in^ behalf of 
the great object. It is earnestly hoped that those to whom this circu- 
lar is sent, will feel a deep interest in the subject, and exert them- 
selves to ensure a full and able delegation at tie Convention. 
Rochester, N. Y., Jui^e 9, 1842. 



Charles J. Hill, 
Jacob Gould, 
Chester Dewey, 
Hervey Ely, 
Samuel Luekey, 
James Seymour, 
Ashley Sampson, 
D. Scoville, 
Henry W, Davis, 
Tryon Edwards, 
A. Gardiner, 
Isaac Hills, 
L. A. Ward, 
John Haywood, 
Frederick Starr, 
F. Whittlesey, 
S. Mathews, 
W. S. Philpot, 
J. K. Livingston, 

A. Champion, 
John T. Taln^an, 
Geo. A. Avery^ 
M. Chapin, 
Sam"l. D. Porter, 
P. P. Peck, 
Graham H. Chapin, 
Vincent Mathews, 
N. B. Northrop, 
Pharcellus Church, 

B. Campbell, 
A. W. Reding, 
Rufus Meech, 
H. A. Brewster, 
Aaron Erickson, 
William Atkinson, 



J. D. Husbands, 
Mitchael Loder, 
O. N. Bush, 
William Ailing, 
A. W. Gillies, 
Sidney Allen, 
^J. B. Shaw, 

0. Plastings, 
L. BrooK's, 
Patrick Kearney, 
S. G'. Andrews, 
A. G. Hall, 

1. F. Mack, 
John F. Bush, 
E. Huntington, 
H. L. Achilles, 
B[ervey Lyon, 
Charles M. Lee, 
Jacob Graves, 
David Hoyt, 
Geo. W. Pratt, 
M. F. Delano, 
Oren Sage, 
Edwin Pancost, 
G. S. Boardnian, 
P. S. Stoddard, 
William Brewst-er, 
Alvah Strong, 

N. T. Rochester, 
E. F. Smith, 
Jonathan Child, 
John Allen, 
J. M. Fish, 
W. Griffith, 
J.W.Smith, 



William Pitkin, 
E. D. Smith, 
J. H. Brewster, 

D. R. Barton, 
W. H. Cheney, 
Walter S. Griffith,- 

• Oliver Culver, 
A. Sprao;ue, 

■ N. B. Ellison & Co., 

''-■ William Moore, 
Thomas Pease, 
James Chappell & Co., 
John McConnell, 
Shepard G. Moatt, 
Abijah Fitch, Auhurr., 
Charles W. Dundas, 
PI. L. Stevens, 
■^ Vi/'illiam W. Brewster, 
Charles Plubbell, 
. Raymond Leonard, 
J. A. Tallmadge, 
H. Hunter, 

E. Darwin Sibith, 
H. B. Williams, 

' Wm. R. Montgomery, 
Everard Peck, 
Ebenezer Watts, 
Thomas Kempshall, 
A. G. Smith, 
Bernard O'Reilly, 
Patrick Doyle, 
N. Osborn, 
G. A. Hollister, 
Samuel Miller. 



The Convention — some 300 delegates' being pre^ent-^was called 
to order by Rev. Pharcellus Church, on whose motion Plon. N. W. 
Howell, of Canandaigua, was chosen Chairman, and N. T. Roches- 
ter, Esq., Secretary, pro. tern, 

Mr. Frederick Starr moved, that the delegates in attendance pre- 
sent their certificates to the Secretary, and take their seats as mem- 
bers of the Convention. The consideration of the motion was, how- 



5 

€ver, by consent, postponed, and the following jijentlcmen were aj)- 
pointed by the Chair, a committee lo nominate officers for the Conven- 
tion : — Rev. Tryon Edwards, Henry Dwight, Esq., Ja's. Seymour, 
Esq., Ilev. Pharcellus Church. 

After a brief consultation, the committee, through the Rev. Tryon 
EdwaidSj reported the following names, as officers : 

PRESIDENT. 

Honorable Jacob Sutherland, of Geneva. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
Hon. N. W. Howell, Rev. Norris Bull, 

Aristarchus Champion, Esq., J. B. Skinner, Esq., 

Rev. Samuel Luckey, D. D., Hon. G. Hard, 

Hon. E. Rhodes, Hon. Fred* k. Whittlesey. 

Hon. Ashley Sampson, 

SECRETARIES. 

K'st. J. W. Adams, D, D., Walter Hubbel, Esq., 

N. T. Rochester, Esq., Selah Mathews, Esq. 

Judge Sutherland was then unanimously el-ected President, and 
en taking the chair, addressed the Convention, as follows : 

Gentlemen of the Convention : — I thank you for the honor done 
me ^by choosing me to preside over your deliberations. I consider 
the object which has called us together, as one of the highest impor- 
tance ; and as commending itself alike to the consideration and fa- 
vor of the Christian and Philanthropist. We are assembled to take 
lEto -consideration what can and what ought to be done to stay the 
desecration of the holy Sabbath-, and to extend its blessings, spiritual 
and temporal, to all classes of our citizens. May He, who is Lord 
of the Sabbath, and without whose blessing all human effort is una- 
vailing, blessjguide, and direct our deliberations, and give efficacy to 
our efforts to promote His glory and the temporal and spirtuai happi- 
ness of our fellow-citizens. 

The other officers nominated, were then unanimously elected. 

Judge Howell moved that the session of the Convention be open- 
ed by prayer ; the motion was passed. 

At the request of the President, prayer was offered by Rev. Jus- 
tin Edwards, D. D., of Andover, Mass. 

Rev. Timothy Stillman moved that a Business Committee be ap- 
pointed by the Chair, to embody in resolutions, and report to the Con- 
vention, business for their discussion. 

The motion was carried, and the following gentlemen were 
appointed by the President : — Justin Edwards, Henry Dwight, 
Frederick Starr, Harmon Kingsbury, Elijah F. Smith, Jonathan 
Child, Timothy Stillman, John Copeland. 

The Committee retired, and Rev. Mr. Shaw moved the adoption 
of the following Rules and Regulations for the government of the 
Convention : — 



1. The business of each day shall commence at 8|- o'clock, and 
be opened with prayer ; recess from 12 to 2, and from 5-| to 7-| o'- 
clock, and adjourn at 9^- o'clock. 

2. All committees to be appointed by the Chair, unless otherwise 
directed by the Convention. 

3. All motions and resolutions to be committed to writing ; read 
in the hearing of the Convention, and then without debace, to be 
passed to the Business Committee. 

4. Business to be taken up in the order presented by that commit- 
tee. 

5. No member shall be allowed to speak at one time more than 15 
minutes, nor more than twice on one question, without leave of the 
Convention. 

6. When all subjects presented by the committee shall have been 
disposed of, any member may, on his own responsibility, present for 
consideration, any subject adapted to lead the community to remem- 
ber the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 

7. The President shall announce to the Convention the name of 
each speaker, on his taking tlie floor. 

It was moved and carried, that the question be taken upon the 
Rules, en masse. 

The question was thus taken, and the Rules were adopted. 

Rev. Dr. Luckey said he would now second the motion of Mr. 
Starr, that the gentlemen present as delegates, now give to the Sec- 
retaries their names and places of residence for enrolment. Some 
conversation followed, and it was finally considered satisfactory that 
the President request all delegates present to hand their names and 
residences to the Secretaries at their convenience. 

Rev. Dr. Edwards, in behalf of the Business Committee, was 
ready to report in part. He said they had been sincerely desirous, 
in order that the proceedings might have a salutary effect, not only 
on local interests, but on all the great interests of the world, that 
such resolutions should be adopted as should meet the wishes and 
opinions of the friends of the Sabbath throughout the Union ; and 
v.'ith reference to that desire, the committee beg leave to report in 
part, five resolutions. 

It was then voted to consider the resolutions separately ; and the 
first was read, as follov/s: 

1. Resolved, that we gratefully acknowledge the goodness of God 
in the appointment and preservation of the Sabbath ; and in all the 
benefits which, through its means, he has conferred on the children 
of men. 

Dr. Edwards said it was supposed not unlikely, by the committee, 
that this resolution and the next might, without discussion, meet a cordi- 
al response from the whole Convention, and be adopted unanimously. 
The third, perhaps, might be to great advantage illustrated by facts 
and reasoning. For the purpose of getting under way, he hoped two 
or three of the first resolutions might be adopted without debate ; if 
this were done, and the others discussed afterwards, he thought that 
course would be most useful. 

Rev. Mr. Stillman suggested that a perfect roll should be made 



out before the discusr-Ion pwceedcd liirthcr. He hoped some gentle- 
man would speak on these resolutions, while delegates were giving in 
their names for the completion of the roll. He made no motion, 
howewr, and other gentlemen deeming the course suggested unne- 
cessaiy, the matter was dropped. 

Rev. Dr. Luckey said that a number of letters had been received 
from gentlemen who had been invited to attend, but who were una- 
ble to do so. These, he thought, ought to be read, and now was, 
perhaps, the most convenient time. He m»oved that these letters be 
now read. 

The motion was carried, and the following letters were read by 
the Secretary : 

Albany, July 5, 1842. 
Gentlemen : 

On my return, after a brief absence from the city, I re- 
ceived your letter of the 20th, post-marked the 27th of June, tender- 
ing me a very kind invitation to a Convention to be held in Rochester, 
with a view to promote the observance of Sunday. The letter re- 
ferred me for particular information to an advertisement in a news- 
paper, which I am informed was received, but was not preserved^ — 
and I am, therefore, without information when the Convention will 
take place. I need not assure you that every day's observation and 
experience confirm the opinion, that the ordinances which require 
the observance of one day in seven, and the Christian faith which 
hallows it, are our chief security for all civil and religious liberty, 
for temporal blessings and spiritual hopes. I shall be most happy to 
co-operate in any proper measures which the friends of that sacred 
institution may adopt. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 
To Rev. Tryon Edwards, 

A . Champion, Esq. 



New- York, June 23, 1842. 
Gentlemen .* 

I duly received your kind favor inviting me to a Conven- 
tion of the friends of the Sabbath, on the 20th July next, at Roches- 
ter. I regret that previous engagements will not allow me to be 
present at this interesting meeting. I rejoice that such an occasion 
is desired by such a goodly array of respectable names as the call 
for it in the paper sent, indicates. It is most cheering to the friends 
of this sacred day, in every place, to perceive that you are moving 
with such strength to its aid. God regards us politically, as we re- 
gard his Sabbaths. He did so with the nation of Israel, and he will 
to the end of time vindicate the rights of his holy institution, by the 
frown of his judgments towards the people who profane it. That 
His own Spirit may guide, animate, and bless you, is among the 
earnest prayers of 

Your friend and servant, 

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN. 
To Rev. T. Edwards, 
A. Champion, Esq. 



8 

New- York, July 12, 1842, 
Rev. and dear Sir : 

In reply to your favor received yesterday, I am constvained to^ 
say that it seems impracticable, for many reasons, that I should be pre- 
sent with you on the 20th inst., much as I prize the object and the 
auspices of the Convention. May the Lord of the Sabbath be with 
you and direct your ways, so as to crown them all with his blessing. 

On the importance of the due observance of the Lord's day, in our 
country, I am convinced that there is a great want of adequate intel. 
ligence among the people. The design of the Sabbath — its origin in 
Paradise — its perpetuity from the creation to the final conflagration — • 
its most humane and beneficent nature — its change in the present 
dispensation ; not in principle, or in proportion, or space of time ; but 
only in the day of the week, so as to commemmorate the finish of 
the world's redemption by our risen Lord — its indispensable necessity 
to the worship of God in the world- — ^its relation to the gospel of ike 
Son of Man, who is Lord also of the SaWaih day — ^its relation tO: 
Christianity, as evanishing from any place, when the Sabbath is neg- 
lected or disowned — and its relation to the law of God, to the Deca- - 
logue, to the first table, as permanently graven on tables of stone by 
the finger of the living God, where was inspiration of the highest 
sort, divine alone, without the intervention of any human, amanuen- • 
sis, and without the perishable substrate of ordinary inspiration, 
the parchment or the papyrus of other records of God — on all these 
and other topics, allied especially to the history of the Sabbath, and 
of those countries and nations who have renounced, as compared with . 
those who have remembered and honored the day of God, there is,, 
I know, in our county at large, a most lamentable lack of correct 
knowledge and proper instruction : nay it exists in all chiistendom ; 
and in any state, nation, city, or place, it will be found that the due 
honor and order given to the Lord's day, may be assumed as the 
criterion of the dignity and respectability every way, of the com* 
munity. 

There is a philosophy which I judge to be wise and excellent in 
reference to the first table of the law. It is that which represents its 
whole four precepts as subserving the grand idea of worship among < 
men. Thus the first commandment defines its object ; the second its 
means ; the third its manner ; and the fourth its time. Hence it is 
manifest, that he who positively, or negatively, lends his influence to 
destroy the time of worship, is as really engaged in the destruction 
or prevention of worship itself ; since, if the time is vitiated, or re- 
moved, it is vain that we are informed of the manner, the means, and 
the OBJECT of worship. Besides, those who aflTect to think that 
the fourth is abrogated, ought to do three things for us: 1. They 
ought to show us where the same authority that engraved it on the 
first of the tables of stone has revoked it.' 2. They ought to be able 
to show us that no other of the ten, or if any other, which, is like- 
wise annulled, or why only one is thus erased. 3. They ought to 
reform the language of Christendom, and their own — speaking no more 
of the Decalogue or ten commandments, since now there are only nine. 

The committee, ad interim, of the Assembly of our church, in their 



9 

late letter, say : *' The duo observation of the Lord's day^ in our 
whole country, is practically just as desirable as that we should be 
a Christian people. Without worship in public, private and personal 
worship soon decline and become obsolete, the community deterio- 
rates, morals retrograde, and prospects gather blackness or are mantled 
with despair. But public worship requires public time, by general 
agreement, for its celebration; and all observation and history proves 
that Christianity proportionably deserts a place where thie day of 
God is banished, dishonored, or denied." These are the sentiments, 
too, of th& church universal. . 

The public sentiment of the country ought to be roused on this sub- 
ject, to denounce Sabbath breach, as, in refence to alcohol in any 
form as a beverage, it is now brought to frown portentous on those 
who now indulge in it. A Sabbath-breaker is just as really opposed 
to the true interests of mankind, and just as much an immoral man, as 
he who practises profaneness, or becomes intoxicated. His sin is di- 
rectly against- God, his worship, and the health of souls. Nor is he 
exempt from this awful crime, who neglects worship on that day, 
who stays at home from church, and gives the force of his influence 
to the violation of those high enactments of the great God. I humbly 
suggest that the Convention should prepare a popular paper on the 
subject, suited to all latitudes and meridians; and then send it with 
wings, and like snow-flakes tor multitude, throughout our whole coun- 
try, and call on all our countrymen to wake and return to the worship. 
of the true God. But will you excuse my great difFuseness ? God, 
I trust^'-.will be with you and will enlighten, use, and bless your efforts to- 
the great good of our poor sin-blinded species. This is my prayer, and 
I remain, dear and reverend brother, 

Yours' in: the ties of the Savior, 

SAMUEL H. CaX. 

Rev. Tryqn Edwards. ' 



Oswego, July 18, 1842. 
Bear Sir: 

Your i^vor, requesting my attendance at a Convention to be held 
in your city on the 20th inst., having for its object a combined effort 
among the business men of the community, to correct the breach of 
the Sabbath, has been some days in my hand. Finding I could not 
attend the meeting, I have endeavored to induce some of my neigh- 
bors who feel friendly to the enterprise, to represent our place, and our 
canal forwarders and steam-boat proprietors in particular. But I 
fear none of our active and influential citizens will be able to spare 
the time required. 

The subject of checking and wholly suspending canal operations, 
as well as the transportation of passengers on our lakes, by steam, 
on the Sabbath, has been frequently discussed by our business men, 
and a disposition prevails among them to favor the reform in question. 

Indeed the proprietors of lake steamers have this year, for the first 
time, decided upon arresting all their steamers for the Sabbath, and 
none are now running on that day. And I have no doubt that in the 
absence of better motives, their interest would dictate this measure. 



10 

As owners of lake coasters, Mr. Crocker and myself have said to 
our Masters navigating the Welland canal, that they are at liberty, 
whenever they find themselves in the neighborhood of a place of pub- 
lic worship on the Sabbath, and desire to attend worship with their 
crews, to do so ; and we are quite willing to adopt the same prac- 
tice on our state canal. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ALVIN BRONSON. 
A. Champion, Esq. 



Saratoga Springs, July 12, 1842. 
Gentlemen : 

Yours of the 20th ultimo, I found on my return from New 
York, on the 4th instant : but having been engaged the whole of last 
week in court, I have not before had leisure to answer it. I assure you, 
it would afford me much pleasure to attend your Convention next 
week, to participate with my Christian brethren of Western New 
York, in devising the means of arresting the farther desecration of 
the Christian Sabbath, and endeavoring to persuade all classes that 
their temporal, as well as their eternal interest, requires them to fore- 
go all worldly employments on that sacred day, when the blessed 
Savior rested from his great work of redemption, as the eternal Fa- 
ther had before rested from the labors of creation. I find, however, 
that it will be impossible for me to be with you, on that occasion, with- 
out neglecting official duties ; for my court commences at this place 
on the 19th instant, and will probably be continued nearly the whole 
week. The observance of the Sabbath, as a day of mental and bod- 
ily rest from the cares and business of the world, independent of its 
divine institution, and apostolic substitution, is, in itself, of incalcu- 
lable value, to the temporal, as well as to the eternal interests of the 
human family. And it therefore becomes the philanthropist, as well 
as the Christian, to endeavor to secure the blessings of that day of 
rest, to every member of the community. How this can be best ac- 
complished, is a question which requires great deliberation, before it 
can be satisfactorily answered. But, as I am perfectly satisfied that 
the sanctification of the Sabbath, and the cessation from worldly pur- 
suits on one day in seven, is not only in accordance with the Divine 
will, but is actually promotive of worldly prospeity and happiness, 
considered merely as a human institution, it appears to me that we 
ought to endeavor to impress both of these truths upon the minds of 
all. This cannot be effected either by denunciation or coercion. 
But in this, as in all other attempts to do good to our fellow men, we 
must follow the example of our Divine Master ; whose uniform mode 
of reaching the human heart, when his object was to convince and to 
save, was by the simple use of the language of kindness and per- 
suasion. 

I am, gentlemen, with respect, 

Yours, &;c., 

R. H. WALWORTH. 
3fessrs. T. Edwards, 

A. Champion, Committee, (fee. 



11 

Albany, July 8, 1812* 
Dear Sir : 

Your favor of the 5ih is before me, and, although greatly- 
pressed for time, I must not delay reply. I was informed of your 
" Sabbath Convention" by the address in the Daily Democrat, signed 
by many of your citizens, and which some friend was so kind as to 
send me. I like the movement, and think it will result in much good. 
Sabbath desecration has become the crying sin of the land, and, we 
have reason to apprehend, may call down upon the country the just 
judgments of God. Something should be done to suppress this great 
evil, and I most earnestly hope that there will be such an amount of 
influence and talent in the convention as to make its voice heard and 
respected througjiout the State. 

I regret that I cannot be with you on an occasion of so much in- 
terest. It would necessarily involve an absence from my charge on 
the Lord's day, and this, under present circumstances, must not be. 
With my best wishes for its complete success, 

I am, sincerely and affectionately, 

Yours, &c., 

B. T. WELCH. 
Rev. P. Church. 



Ogdensburgii, St. Lawrence Co. > 
July 16, 1842. ^ 
Dear Sir : 

I duly received your favor of the 5th inst., and intended to be 
present at the Convention on the 20th, but I now find that I shall be 
prevented. 

Allow me to suggest that, in my judgment, the most powerful mo- 
tive to be presented to the business community, in favor of the obser- 
vance of the Sabbath, is the promise of temporal blessings, so fre- 
quently made in the Bible, and so conspicuously fulfilled in the his- 
tory of individuals and of nations. On the contrary, how i^ew — how 
very few men prosper in business, who habitually violate the Sab- 
bath ! 

Is not this commandment, like the one which follows, of obedience 
to parents, enjoined by temporal sanctions — rewards and punishments 
in the present world ; and have these not been executed in every age ? 
When these truths are believed by men of business, the Sabbath will 
be observed from a sense of present personal interest. 

Enforce these considerations on the Convention, and they' must do 
good. 

With sentiments of esteem. 

Your obedient servent, 

JOHN FINE. 
Rev. Dr. Luckey. 

Geneseo, July 12, 1842. 
My Dear Sir : 

On my return from Buffalo, I found your letter of the 6th, 
and my absence must be my apology for not returning an earlier an- 



12 

swer.. I had noticed, witfe pleasure, the call for the Convention to 
which you allude, to be held in your city on the 20th inst., for the 
purpose of promoting the better observance of the Sabbath, so imme- 
diately connected with our best interests ; and, although with grati- 
tude we may acknowledge some tokens of divine favor have followed 
the efforts already made, still the continued desecration of the day so 
often witnessed, cannot but be viewed with pain and regret, by every 
friend of man, and calls loudly for increased effort. If my engage- 
ments would admits it wouldr&fford me pleEisure to be present^ and par- 
ticipate in your deliberations ; but such is my situation at present, 
as to render it impossible. I beg you to tender to the committee my 
sincere regard, and accept for yourself the assurance of my respect 
and affectionate remembrance. 

Truly your friend, 

ALLEN AYEAULT. 
Eev. Dr. Ltjckey.?;. 

After the reading of these and other letters — among them, some 
from Rev. Drs. NiStt and Wayland, Rev. ^Mr. Kirk, and others, the 
regular business was resumed, and the first resolution was called 
up for consideration. No one wishing to speak upon it, the question 
was taken, and the resolution was unanimously adopted. 

The second resolution was then read, as follows : 

2. Resolved, That the observance of the Sabbath is suited to pro- 
mote the highest present and future good of men, in all ages, and m 
all coijntries ; and that the object of God in establishing it, and the 
reasons why it should be observed, should be made known to all 
people. 

The question was taken upon this without deb^te,= and \he resolu- 
tion was unanimously adopted. 

The third resolution was then read, as follows : 

3. Resolved, That as the Sabbath was made* for man, andthe ob- 
servance -of it according to the Divine will, is essential to his social 
and civil interests, it is the duty of every enlightened friend of hu- 
manity, conscientiously^, and harbitually to- observe- it. 

Rev. Mr. Beecher, of Batavia, said that he had been called on to 
offer a few remarks on this resolution ;. and, said he, I shall confine 
them to a single p&int. The resolution embraces so extended a field, 
that it will be found impossible, within the space allowed) to go over 
the whole ground. It speaks of the civil interests of tho nation, as 
connected with the observance of the Sabbath Day. I shall not go 
over the whole world to show that civil liberty and happiness are 
closely connected with the observance -of tHe Sabbath : I shall speak 
only of our own nation ; and if this caa beshown with regard to that, , 
its truth surely can be inferred with regard to every other nation on 
the face of the earth. Now, Sir, in order that our national progress 
toward happiness and liberty, may be speedy and sure, we need 
something more than mere numbers — in other words, I say that the 
number of inhabitants, the population of our country, cannot preserve 
its government. This seems, thus stated, a self-evident proposition ; 
and yet, it would seem from the notes of triumph, of loud boasting, 



13 

that attend the rapid increase of our population, that tliis was made 
tlie chief reliance. Sir, I regard it as one of the most fearful and 
threaten! 11 i:^ indications that darken the horizon of our countr3\ The 
philantliropic and clear sighted see a no more lowering cloud over 
our national prosperity, than this very rapid increase of otir popula- 
tion. 'Die great difficulty here is, that our population outstrips the 
• advance of schools and moral culture. The number of the ignorant 
is rapidly augmenting. At the extreme West, in the great valley, 
the number of those who can neither read' nor write, is mcreasing 
with fearful rapidity. 'Of course- we have a vast population, who 
are under no moral restraint ; and, of consequence cifgain, giving to 
them all civil and political privileges — they are driven hither and 
thither by ev^ry wind of political and social doctrine." The two great 
pillars of self-government are intelligence and virtue : let either be 
taken away,>and the government must fall. 

Nor can wealth and refinement give perpetuity to any government. 
Greece and ' Rome were wealthy and refined, rich in pictures and 
sculpture, and in all the luxuries and arts of civilized life. France 
is wealthy, the Italians are refined, and both enjoy all tlie refinements 
of cultivated life ; and yet, their liberty, their civil and national hap- 
piness, are yet to be. You may fill the country with wealth, and 
you thereby only increase its selfishness. You may inOTease refine- 
ment to any extent you please, and it will only degenerate into self- 
'ish vanity and ruinous indulgence. In exact proportion as you make 
the nation wealthy and refined, you enervate her power. Here, the 
people elect their rulers. If, then, you make the peopie rich, luxu- 
]-ious, and weak, of course they 'will choose weak and wicked rulers. 
The judges and all ofiicial dignitaries in any nation, will be as the 
people of that nation who elect them. Ask any man, if a people be- 
come luxurious, indolent, wealthy, refined; a people seeking their 
ease, shunning all high and hard exertion — what sort of a State will 
that people become ? Made up of men of the same character as those 
who choose them. 

But let me say again, that armies and fleets' cannot give per- 
petuity to a government. Armies and fleets may, for a time, pre- 
sent an absolute monarchy ; and in such a case, the mass of the 
people are slaves. But the glory of our government is, that the peo- 
ple Sire free. The truth that Freedom is essentiatl to her glory, is the 
■pivot on which the whole structure turns. Nov>^,' if the people are the 
government — *^are the mionarchs in this land, and if they are ignorant 
«.nd wicked, then of course we shall have an ignorant and unprinci- 
•^pled government. Now, what can armies and fleets do ? Will they 
not be in the hands of that populace — of that unprincipled rabble ? 
And where there are no restraints upon their fury, -are we not at the 
mercy of an untamed mob ? We have had some inklings of the re- 
sult, within the last ten years, iti'the various mobs which have char- 
acterized our history. 

Upon these points I might easily enlarge ; but I will go on to say 
again, that there is nothing in the nature and form of our government, 
that can secure perpetuity. What is the form and genius of our 
government ? It is republican : power originating in the people — 



14 

^the people acting by agents. Now the agent will be intelligent and 
virtuous if the people are so, and otherwise if the people are. If the 
people are ignorant, they will have ignorant rulers, and the v/hole 
fabric of laws, institutions, and government, will fall. But where 
we have this mighty mass of mind left ignorant and untaught, all re- 
spect for law will die ; all confidence in the stability of government, 
will be lost ; and the only alternative will be between the lawless 
•anarchy of a mob, and absolute tyramiy. The first step from anar- 
chy, is to m.onarchy ; and this is the course in which our country is 
more rapidly tending — this is the goal which she will finally reach, 
unless we turn back the tide, and stem the torrent of vice which rs 
sweeping away our institutions and laws. 

But not only is it found that intelligence and virtue will sustain 
the laws, but it is also proved that national institutions never will be 
sustained by a merely intelUgent population. Here is a point. Sir, to 
v/hich the attention of every patriot and Christian should be called, 
^nd on which it should be fixed. I say, something more is wanted 
than intelligence. You may establish multitudes of colleges, scatter 
your academies -and schools all over the land, let every man, woman, 
•and child be taiight to read and write; and you have thus no cer- 
tainty whatever, for the safety and perpetuity of the nation, strange 
as it may seem to the ears of some. What are you doing when you 
educate tlie people ? You are educating a mighty giant, with no se- 
curity for what use he shall make of his power. It is like sending 
a "Steam-engine into the midst of a multitude, with no reins to guide 
it. Mind is steam. If rightly managed, it brings about most excel- 
lent Tesults : if not, it is productive of most direful consequences. 
V/ere not Greece and Pvome educated? Is there not intelligence m 
Germany and in France ? Now, Sir, every one knows that intelli- 
gence may urge a man to do evil as well as good. Look at the thou- 
sand examples of great men who have bathed the world in blood ! 
Were they not intelligent ? Is not the devil, himself, highly intelii- 
gent ? Wh}^, Sir, v/ell he may be : he has been to school f n- more 
than six thousand years, and knov/s more, perhaps, than all the men 
in the United States ! An intelligent mind. Sir, is an engine mighty 
to do evil as well as good. Now, i-f you educate a people and store 
them with knowledge — if you give them no religion, n© morality, no 
virtue — you have a mighty mass of selfish minds using their energies 
upon each other; and the question will be, who shall get the control. 
To this degree you will find that the principles of human action are 
selfish ; and the sole desire is to be king over their fellovrs. 

In the last place, Sir, Patriotism (as the populace understand that 
-word) can never do it. The history of our fathers may be recounted 
to us, and their characters and exampJe held up to our view, as pat- 
terns of all that is excellent and noble. We may be taught to love 
and adore them — to sliout their praises as reformers of the world, as 
opposers of oppression ; and yet, all this will have no effect, will be 
of no avail in rooting out the mighty selfishness of the human heart. 
You may array all the power of patriotism, and sway the mass of 
minds like the mighty ocean ; and yet, in what shall it control the 
selfishness of the human heart ? 



15 

But I hasten to say that wo must have something more tlian all 
these : we must liavc a control of selfishness. In order to secure tlie 
perpetuity of our civil institutions, we must have somcthinf^ which 
shall control the selfishness of the human heart. Every man knows 
how all-powerful is the selfish principle — how it reigns and is su- 
preme in every department of life. In all political as well as social 
action, it is almost the governing power. Now this must all he rem- 
edied. We must have something to produce a public conscience. 
Who does not know that it has almost passed into a proverb, that po- 
litical men have no consciences ! Now I do not say that this is ab- 
solutely true ; but you know that every body says so, and what every 
body says, must be true. Now, in political matters, it is too nearly 
true : the men who are foremost in politics, have almost no conscience 
at all. Now what hope is there that we can preserve our civil in- 
stitutions, when conscience has no control ? Suppose our law-givers 
had no regard for morality at all : what would become of the happi- 
ness of men? When the happiness of the State or of individuals 
clashes with the selfish interests of man or of a set of men, and there 
is no conscience to control men, what is to become of the different 
interests of this great country? It is self evident that we must pro- 
duce a balancing power to this selfishness of the human heart. But 
we must also establish a stern self-control. It has been often said, 
and with great truth, that to govern others, you must learn to govern 
yourself; and many of us may see the truth of this illustrated in our 
own households. It is a great and a true principle, that tirst you 
must know yourself and learn to govern yourself, and then you can 
govern others. Let the great mass of the people learn the truth that 
^eZ/'-government is the foundation of all government. The great men 
of every time, have been men of self-control. The men, our fathers, 
who first landed on Plymouth-rock, were men of nerve, of stern self- 
command, and of most noble self control ; and so far as our civil 
liberty has been established, so far as its perpetuity is setiled, it has 
been done by men of strong self command. This, too, might be 
shown by philosophy, as well as by fact. Now let this people be 
without 5^//! control, and no one else can control them. It is impossible. 

In the fourth place, we must do something to produce love towards 
the mass of the people. This principle is well understood, by every 
body. The political demagogue understands it. He appeals con- 
stantly to the people, and, at least, professes to love them. He un- 
derstands, perfectly, that he must profess to love the people, if he 
would control them. If he would really, and truly, have power 
over the people, he must base his efforts on the religious principle of 
love to his neighbor. When he really loves the mass, his heart will 
beat for the happiness, — the best happiness of the whole people. And 
this must be the ground of all good to the whole : every man must 
sacrifice his private interest, if it clashes with the interest of the 
whole. If he will not do this, his selfishness forces him to sacrifice 
the interest of all. Thus States and nations are often sacrificed to 
the selfish interest of one man, or set of men. Inspire the mass of 
mind with the principles of true and genuine happiness, with a feel- 
ing of love for all, and we shall then have a perfect republican struc- 



16 

ture. But there must, in order to accomplish this, be something 
which shall bring them to sacrifice their selfish interests, for another 
world : there must be obedience to the eternal law of Jehovah.— 
Without this, the mass of mind cannot be controlled. It will be as 
unchained and unfettered as the wind. It has been tried, over arid 
Over again. There must be a sacrifice for a higher goodlhan the 
dreams of earth. There must be a feeling, that there is to be a high- 
er tribunal than any upon this earth— that, at the judgmemt bar of 
God, every man's actions shall be judged. The eternal sanctions of 
Jehovah "must be enforced; and' univei^ally recognized. 

Now, to accomplish all this "great work, the Sabbath is the great 
instrument. Its observance makes an^intelligent population ; because 
this fifty -two days in every year are spent in teaching the people.--^ 
iSFo people can observe it — they cannot regularly attend the church 
of God— their children cannot go to its Sabbatli-Schools, and the pop- 
ulation not become enlightened. The laws of truth and of God will 
become instilled into their minds. The Sabbath, moreover, produces 
a conscientious people. Facts abundantly sustain this : that the 
people become conscientious- — become more or less capable of self- 
control— just in proportion as they habitually observe 'the ordinances 
and regulations of the Christian Sabbath. They ceasenvork ; cleanse 
and dress themselves; go to the house of Godj and sit still, in atten- 
tive listeningto his holy word, one day in seven : and they must be- 
come, in this"way, cap'able of seif-control. If a chiM be made to 
do this until he is six years old, he will inevitably^gain self-con- 
trol. Try it- once f Just consider, if you thus teach your child to 
attend the services of the sancttfarry — to sit still and be devout—- ii 
you do not thus teach him some degree of self-control. The whole 
genius of the Christian Sabbath is to teach this lesson. Its very first 
precept,' v/hich commands that no work shall be done on the Sabbath, 
expressly leads to self-control. "The teachings of the sacred desk, 
enforce, also, the great lesson, that " thou shalt love thy neighbor as 
thyself." All its tendencies are to produce love of the people— of 
the whole mass, as though they were but one. The Sabbath brings 
together all classes of the people : all distinctions are thus broken 
down ; the rich and the poor, the learned and the unlearned,' are atll 
brought into the presence, and under the control, of the same infinite 
God. They sit, and they sing together ; they hear the same preach- 
er ; listen to the same truths — the same principles of momentous 
interest and importance-— the great principles of love for their neigh- 
' bor. Thus is produced a feeling of social interest — of mutual love. 
Thus, too, does the Sabbath prepare the way for the teachings of re- 
ligion—for enforcing the sanctions of the eternal world — ^for bring- 
ing each individual under the law of self-control, and giving to each 
the law of God, and of Jesus Christ. Blot out the Sabbath, and all 
this must be blotted out with it ; all the conditions and motives of 
love must be lost ; the people will be set afloat upon the great sea of 
passion, with no chart — no compass, but their own unbridled desires, 
to guide and direct them. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca, said that he wished to mention one or 
two facts, connected with this subject, which his brother Beecher had 



ir 

not had time to mention. The facts wouhl g^o to show that tlie ob- 
servance of the Sabbat ii is absolutely necessary to the civil prosperity cf 
any nation. The first fact he would cite, was, that when God sent 
the Jews in'o captivity in Babylon, all the other circumstances of their 
sins were mer^fed in this — that they did not keep his Sabbaths ; and 
that his land might enjoy the rest of that holy day, he banished from 
it the nation that polluted and dishonored it. 

The next fact he wished to cite, was, the revolution in Franco. 
That nation, socially and politically, repudiated the Sabbath — re- 
jected it : and what did God do to that nation ? The crimson his- 
tory of that ill-fated people, showing them wading through seas of 
blood to despotism — an absolute military despotism — answers the 
question. 

But let us look at the third fact. In 1829 — and I want to call the 
attention of this convention to the Condition of this country at that 
time — it is well known, Sir, that our land was more prosperous than 
it had been at any previous time ; all the interests of the country 
were flourishing. Now, Sir, in 1829, Western New-York, to which 
I am proud to belong, made a mighty effort to stop the desecration of 
the Sabbath in the United States, by the running of the mails. I say 
Western New York did this — for she was far in advance of every 
other section of the land, in this good work. Now what reception 
did the petitions, which were poured in, one after the other, meet, in 
the Senate of the United States ? We were told by that body, that, 
as a nation, we were not hound to regard the Sabbath ! And now what 
has been the history of the nation from that day to this ? It has been 
downward — downward — dg^vnw^ard — until now, the whole nation is 
bankrupt ; and almost every man is trembling between the hope of 
escape, and the fear of absolute insolvency. Now, Sr, should we 
disregard these facts ? God sent the Israelites into captivity because 
they desecrated his Sabbaths. God said in his providence to France, 
*' I pour out blood unto you, because you have desecrated and reject- 
ed my Sabbath ;" and God has been saying the same thing to the 
United States, from the time that the Senate refused to receive the 
petitions of her citizens to observe the Sabbath ; for the general course 
of the nation has been downward to this day. 

Now I will mention one more fact, in the history of the days that 
have gone by — cheering and consoling as it is. I said that West- 
ern New- York strove hard, in 1829, to preserve the Sabbath from 
desecration. I might have said, also, that she was then loudly anathe- 
matized, by the cry that she wished to bring about a union of Church 
and State. Now I am going to say, that, from that period, when her 
petitions were presented and rejected by the Senate, God Almighty- 
has been pouring out his Spirit upon Western New-York, as he had 
never done before ; and such a blessing has been received, in all this 
region, as never before was witnessed. And now look at the prosper- 
ity of blessed Western New-York ! From that period to this, as a 
part of a Sabbath desecrating nation, she has felt the scourge of God j 
but she was the last to feel it. The vial of God's wrath was poured 
upon her last. 

It is important that the Convention should look at these facts ; aiw^ 
2 



18 

tMsTefore I have taken tiia liberty to mention tlierti, I want the facts? 
lobe ilfiderstcod. I want the providences of God to be regarded-. 
mid the ;^':e':" tnith distinctly recognizedj that he will always punish 
the lUiii-L^ :';■■. and preserve his people. 

R.e\. L-y. Edv/ards. of Andover, said he vrished to r-aU attention 
to the rc^-S';' ?25 of the 'fact alluded' to by his brother, (Mr. Wisnee,) 
in regard to France. When the wise' men of that couitry-— the phi- 
Ibsopher^ — had considered the matter, they came to llje concliislonj 
, thiat it would be impossible, even to convince the people that there 
%a5 no -God, so long as thej were allowed to have the Sabbath day ; 
'&.hdi, especially, if they had the doors of their churches open, and 
%ere permitted to go to meeting on the Sabbath. So long as all this- 
^v/as allowed, they said it would be impossible to root out tho /prejie- 
^Uec that there v.- as a God. And so it was. Sir. The fact' was so; 
fend hence that puny hand of a single nation, attempted to blot out 
■*the Sabbath. Why, sir, the^/ might as well have undertaken to blot 
'^iit-the sun from heaven. They could cover over their own ej^cs, 
%iid plunge themselves into darkness, and thus, like a child, declares 
. ^hat there was no sun ; but they could not blot out that glorious light, 
neither they, nor the united might of all the nations on the face of 
tKe earth. 

"'"' -Hev. Mr. WisNER, of Lockport, next addressed the President, as fol- 
'lo¥/s : Sir, 1 have been requested to make a few remarks upon the social 
Tfeearings of the Sabbath : and I was about rjsing to do so, when my re- 
vered father and the reverend Doctor who have preceded me, occu- 
pied the floor. And I should be embarrassed in the position J occu- 
py, did I not call to mind a po.'sage I read in my school-boy days, in 
'Cicero de Orato're. That great man advises a speaker to place his 
"V/eakest argument betw-een a few strong ones ; and, Sir, you and the 
house, are all aware, that strong arguments have preceded me, and 
I trust v/ill follov/ what I have to say ; and I hope that the weakness 
of my argument may be sustained, according to -the advice of that 
great orator. On this subject, permit me to say, that the discussion 
oT the resolution seems to have come up in reverse order. The reso- 
4iiticn reads, that, " as the Sabbath was made for man, and the ob- 
servance of it according to the Divihe will, is essential to his social 
•^ftrid ciml interests, it is the duty of every enlightened friend of hu- 
"manity, Conscientiously and habitually to observe it." Now, Sir, in 
Hbe first place, the civil bearings of the Sabbath have been disctis- 
sed. and it becomes my duty to say a few v/ords with regard to the 
social. A pebble dropped upon the surface of a quiet lake, you 
know, will produce various circles; the larger embi-acing and sur- 
.I'ounding the smaller. So it is with this subject. The outer circles, 
*the civil relations of this subject, have been ably discussed; and it 
becomes my duty to take up a few of the minor circles, embodied in 
"■■Oie socioj division of the resolution. And I nov/ venture to assert, that, 
loi^hout the Sdihath — without sustaining the sacred institutions of that 
day — ihere could he no such thing as social order or hajrpiness among 
communities or nations ; and, in order to sustain this, I want to say, in 
the first place, that, in order to social happiness, there must be such a 
"^h^iig B:^ cleanliness. Let me ask, if, without cleanliness, there can 
be any such thing as elevated social enjoyment ; and were it not for 



ourSabbftth, recurring as it dors, lot )no ask, if ihcrc would be any 
luore time to aitonu to this so inj|j<jrtaut duty, as it sljould L»o done. 
Look Hi tbat laboring man, as, on Saturday he goes to Ids businrsis. 
Seo bis lon'T bcaru — see his soiled linen, bis worn and unwashed 

. clcthes and his general appearance, so bostilo to all social intercours'.' 

..and tDJoyment- Preparatory lo the Sabbath, thi;re is a general 
cleansiu^, i'roin the day laborer to tb^ President in bis White House 
— IVoni the peasant in the field, to the higbest dignitary in the nation. 
And I view the Sabbath, as, in this respect, of great iinportance with 

.regard totlio social intorcotsof all men. 

But, again: tlic Sabbath is of* great importance, in regard to our 
social intt;rests, as it renders men intelligent and moral. I speak 
now of the inLclligenceand;moi'ality which are founded on tbe inde- 
structibla principles of the Bible. There is sucb a thing as keeping 
individuals in a coarse of rectitude, by the force of restraint — by 
laws and brute force, of various kinds. But all higb social enjoy- 
men: niust be founded upon a princii)lc vvithin ; and whore shall we 

- look for the rules laid down by that principle, unless in tbe xjible. 
and the institutions of the Sabbath?- Hence it is tbat Saiibath- 
Schools are doing so much for education and morality. They take 
young minds. when they are soft like wax, and capable of taking any 
impression that you please to place upon them ; then the principles 
that a,ro inculcated will 

" Grow with tlieir rrowtii, and strengthen with thoir strength," 

until th'ey arrive at maturity, and become beings with a higher sense 
of social happiness and enjoyment. Blot out the Sabbath, and where 
are your Sabbat h-Sohoob ^ — where then shall you look for the tju'n- 
ing and instruction of these young and tender minds ? 

But I go farther than this. Not only do we need the Sabbath to 
sustain the vSabbath-School ; but for the family circle. It is all-im- 
portant, in order to social happiness, that there should be order, and 
intellijyence, and happiness, in the family ; and there is nothing like 
the Sabbath, to impress upon the minds of children, as they grow up, 
the truth, that religion and intelligence are the only means of becom- 
ing blessings to society, and benefactors of their race. Let me ask, 
v/hat it is that has rendered the social cliaracter of the m.en of NeM- 
England, so elevated, so pure, so staid, so orderly, and stern ? Why 
is it that, from fa'dier to son, from generation to generation, that land 
has held so high a station in society, and why does social order exist 
to the extent that it does there ? It is because they attend to the ob- 
servance of the holy Sabbath. I attribute it to the respect they have 
for this holy institution^ Take the histor}'- of New-England from the 
landing on Plymouth rock, to the present day, and you v/ill find that 
sons and sons' sons, for successive generations, have been leading 
men in the church — deacons and ministers of the gospel ; and trace 
it up far as you may, you will find they have been useful men, and 
to a high degree possessed of social happiness. Now do you ask 
why it is? 1 say ii is because they attend to the regular duties of 
the Sabbath. Compare their habits with those which you may ob- 

sers'e on our canals; look at the social habits and feelings there. 
2^ 



20 

You find there no Sabbaths, which are so essential to a high degree 
of social enjoyment. Blot out the Sabbath — work upon that as upon 
the other six days of the week, and you blot out all the blessed 
opportunities of giving social innprovement to men. As I was coming 
down to this place, I fell into conversation with a boat captain, and 
among other subjects we spoke of this. He said, "G ive us the Sab- 
bath, for we want and need it." "And why do you need it?" I 
asked him. " That we may attend church," said he, " and hear the 
gospel preached — that we may go into our families and spend it there 
like social beings." That is the feeling of the large mass of men 
who are working aleng our canals. I wish these men knew their 
power. I wish they, one and all, understood, that if they should re- 
fuse to work upon the holy Sabbath, that their wages would not be 
reduced. If they should say, " God gave us the Sabbath, and we 
want it — we want it as social beings, that we may enjoy the social 
blessings to which we have a right ;" their wages would not be 
reduced. 

I hope, in making these few remarks, that the social bearings 
of the Sabbath may not be lost sight of. Take the history of 
the world, and you will find the Sabbath absolutely necessary, on 
account of its social influence on mankind. It is needed as a day 
when he may wind up his worldly affairs, and have a fresh starting- 
point. Hence it is, that even the French philosophers, who discarded 
the Christian Sabbath, found it absolutely necessary to have some 
day of rest, and therefore made a week of ten days. With regard 
to the social bearings of this sacred day, we may well apply to it what 
that great divine, Robert Hall, said of family prayer — that "it is 
to human life what selvage is to a web of cloth ; it keeps it from un- 
ravelling." So it is with the Sabbath — in all the business operations 
of individuals, and in all aspects of society, it is absolutely necessary 
for the well-being of man. 

Rev. Asa Rand, said that it appeared to him that the facts which 
had been alluded to by Mr. Wisner, gave to the occasion a pecul- 
iarly solemn, yet joyful interest. Was it in Western New-York, 
that the first attempt was made, in 1829, to stay the desecration of 
the Sabbath ; and was it here, that God had poured out his blessing, 
because here his people had borne such a part in staying its violation ? 
And have temporal and spiritual prosperity been the lot of this favored 
part of the nation, rather than of any other ? And now, while the 
judgments of heaven are hanging over our land, are we in a mea- 
sure exempted from them ? Was that the result of the first move- 
ment in this question ? And is it here also that the present movement 
in favor of the Sabbath orginated? And what do we gather from the 
divine book with reference to the Divine Mind, in regard to the 
present movement ? Is it reserved for this section of country, in 
1842, to put again in motion the same agencies, that in '29 were so 
fruitful of good results ? Let, then, this work be carried forward ; 
let labors of the effort be sustained ; let the sound of our remon- 
strance against the violation of the Sabbath, be heard throughout 
the length and breadth of the land again ; and the Lord will again 
feless us, and the whole land shall again rejoice in his smiles. 



21 

Mr. KiNGSBCTiY, of Cleveland, Ohio, said he should like to mention 
a fact, called to mind by the allusion to the captain of a boat with 
whom Mr. Wisner had conversed. Kllbrts, said he, were made last 
winter at Cleveland, to aid the boatmen and sailors in regard to the 
observance of the Sabbath. At first it was supposed by the Bethel 
Captain, that we should not be able to do much. He said to us that 
perhaps we might obtain one member to a pledge of that kind in his 
whole congregation — but not more. "It is possible," said he, "that 
you may get one more, but I doubt it; and I do not think it best to 
iiisit upon a pledge that we will not labor on the Sabbath, nor sail 
out of port, nor do any work in port on the Sabbath." Well, we 
went forward, notwithstanding ; and at the first meeting which we 
held, about ihiriij of those present signed the pledge. A great num- 
ber of meetinsfs were held durin^x 'the winter, and before the close, 
eighty sailors had put their names to a pledge not to labor on the 
Sabbath ; and they called on all to aid them in the work; they felt 
degraded by laborinn; on that day, and they wished every man to lift 
up his voice in behalf of the Sabbath. About six hundred individu- 
als in that city, gave their names to the same pledge. Efforts have also 
been made to secure the closing of ware-houses on the Sabbath; and 
from twenty two, out of twenty-four, we have obtained pledges to do 
so. The captain, who has been active in circulating tracts and Bi- 
bles, has told me that he has not seen a single ship's crew loading or 
unloading a vessel on the Sabbath, during the season. One captain 
came into port on Sunday, came on deck, and said to his men, "come, 
all hands, take hold and unload ; put these things on here." The 
sailors said they did not like to work on the Sabbath. He "Couldn't 
help it," he said; "they must take hold." But, said they, "God 
forbids us to labor on the Sabbath." " I can't help that," said he ; 
"this load must go ashore." "But," they replied, "the laws of our 
country forbid it ; some do not like to incur punishment by disobey- 
ing them." " Well," he said, " the goods must go ashore !" Ami 
when he found that they were resolutely determined not to work on 
that day. he applied to other men, from whom he obtained similar 
replies. Said they, "we will be here, captain, at any time you 
may choose, on Monday ; but we will not work on the Sabbath." 
"' Well then," said he, " I shall send you all ashore." " Very well," 
said they ; " if you insist upon it, we will go — though we should be 
glad to work for you." " Well, after all," said he, " you may come 
on Monday morning, at four o'clock ; it will answer just as well." 

As I was coming through Buffalo, the Bethel chaplain said that a 
whole crew had been dismissed there, because they would not labor 
on the vSabbath ; and the next morning every one of them was re- 
shipped. The captain was forced to do it, because he could not get 
better hands. A few weeks before, a similar instance had occurred, 
and was followed by the same results. The sail'^rs and boatmen in 
that region, all feel as if they wanted the Sabbath. They all are 
urgent for its privileges. The same thing is evident in the efforts 
that have been made in that section of the country, as well as at 
Cleveland. I had a letter put into my hands at Buffalo, by an old 
weather-beaten tar whom I had never seen before, and whose name 



} did not know. I should be glad if some one wovj^a read it' — -as. 1 
think it would bo of sovY^e int^i^eRt to the noi^ven^ion : 

RsVo Timothy Stillman said tbat the le^or was exr-?':'::- -'v in- 
terestiiig to him, as shewing the interest Wiiioh '-ailors men 

took in the efii^rts that were made to prev?3^t the des,: : . the 

Sabbath ^ lie would thoreibre read it, ac f^llow;^ : 



Rev. Sir : 

Having attended sonn ^ f vo ^ ' " .^ v^'or- 
est that is inaidfesteJ for the 'cs^i . 
ors, I Iiave taken the pen to a'^-bl 

and to attack that o -'ch enen^ ' e^ i t — 
SaJjbalh'brecildng. Awo^i^A the \r ' > ob- 
servance 01 the Sabbath, ti.ere is oiv. v !deh ' \^\ ^^ro- 
posed, and 'which., if it did •^-' ^ ^- ^'^- '•, i . . .... o'lld 

lielp to shoe the mouih of 

The greatest cnei.T'e'^ ■ ' ' ^ e^^o- 

fessors. The ass.ielt.- of tl > i'l'^d ' '.a- 

vior of those wit' ' d ' i i t 

advert to the ocer m( h e-'^ \^ noun .ii 

his earthly pilgrj 's < f 

ar-: ■ 

b:'-;:: : ' . ' 

ca! 

not _ . - ': 

ajnvtninc: to their cba;-^o / [ ana, 

'^RemeiiibertheSabbatn/' w:.:.;::_,w ;. ^ : it- 

while the iraii wjio^n ho ]::as vhiccl in e;:' yml o-: Josino; tiis 

place, drives ahead i^-c*:^ ■'• "~ ^'r.';!-;-] r'- y ai^d Cvory da} — 

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weifure, ho may be led to believe that religion is no empty sound — 
that it is peace and good-will to man. 

It wouiii be well lu hd%M a it >;i^'ier of till the names of vc^scb tha^ 
do not work on Sunday, placed in the dilFerent Bethels and Seamen s 
Houses, so that tlioy mi.^lit know which to choose. I may hei-e re- 
mark, tiiat there is ni/Jiing so dtmori-li/ing, as working- on the Sabj; 
bath, especii liy it' the vrssel is owned by j-)rorcssor& of religion. 1 
never yet saw a sailor that went to v,ork on that day, with the will 
that he would on other days. The whole body of them are againsc 
it, and it is only the fear of being tlirdwa out of eniployment, that 
will n)ak.e them v/ork on that day. 

I shall conclude by wishing you great success in the cause which 
you have so nobly advocated. If these views, laid down in these 
lines, should be of any use to that cause, it will never bo a matter of 
regret that thev liave been wri'tten bv 

A SAILOR. 

Kev. Mr. H-jll, of Dansville, said that before the question was 
(aken, he wished to mention one fact. He said that in 1830 and 
1831, lie ("ccupied a porlion of South Central New-York — in i\ por- 
tion of Chenango and Delaware counties. He alluded to the result 
of the presentatica of petitions for staying the mail on the Sabbath. 
The Presbytery and chp.rches of Delaware county were feeble, but 
u great deal was doae in that good cause. Strenuous elibris were 
)nade in thai; county, to stay the desecration of the Sabbath ; and m 
no place had the blessing of the Most High more conspicuously at- 
lended their eSbits. In Ibol, in that small Presbytery, 3000 werp 
added to the church. In one congregation, every head of a family 
iiad beciome a praying man, hit one ; and every child in the Sabha'h- 
School. In one villasre of sixty families, all, save five, had become 
praying souls. In that neig]iborhood, at a school-meeting, eighty or 
ninety 'lad been converted to God, and gathered inio his church. In 
ciic;, eighty conversions were the result of their Christian labors : and 
ii) another, one hundred — as testified by addition to the church. And 
.-uch days of revival, during sixteen years of ministerial service, I had 
never before witnessed. In that place, there is undoubtedly as mucli 
done, in projioriiijn to their numbers, as in any portion of New^-York. 

Mr. Jessu^, of Palmyra, wished to correct one fact, with reference 
to v/hat had been said of the captivity of the Jews. It had been said 
the violation of the Sabbath was the only reason given by God, for 
leading ihem into captivity ; but if reference should be made to the 
record, it v/e-u-d be se?n that there was another reason — and that was, 
Iheir opprec-si/y>i — a- detaiUd in the 34th chapter of Jeremiah. And 
the subsequent history of that nation, carries out the fact, that they 
were led in^o 0;aptivity as much for their opprc5j£ion, as for their Sab- 
bath. breaklt.-g. 

The question v/as then taken on the third resolution, and it wa^-j 
unaninw =-ly c.Jcpled. 

The hou' fc f af.'journ.nent having arrived, the Convention tool; a le 
cefcs of an hour and a half. 



24 

7| o'clock, p. m. 

Dr. Edwards, from the Business Committee, reported additional re- 
solutions — which, by vote of the Convention, were read. 

The fourth resolution was then taken up and read, as follows ; 

4. Resolved, That the observance of the Sabbath is required by 
the moral constitution of men, as really as by the command of God ; 
and in requiring them to remember and keep it holy, he consults 
their highest present good, as well as his own glory, and the good of 
the universe. 

Rev. Mr. Cfret, of Lockport, said that he wished to call the attention 
of the Convention for a few moments, to the sentiment contained in 
this resolution, that the observance of the Sabbath is required by thephys- 
teal constitution of man, as really as by the command of God. Did 
time permit, said he, many important reasons might be given to show 
the truth of this opinion, which was abundantly confirmed by expe- 
rience. I shall refer, however, to only two of them ; and the first is 
derived from the fact, that the observance of the Sabbath, as a day 
of rest, is a command of God. All of us. Sir, who beheve in the ex- 
istence of a God, are firmly persuaded that the Judge of the whole 
earth shall do right ; and that when he gives a command, by which 
we are to be governed, it is adapted to promote our own good, as well 
S3 his glory, and the good of the universe. We know from experi- 
ence, as well as from what we regard as being the essential nature of 
all his doings, that all his commandments are, in their observance, 
calculated to make us happy and comfortable in mind and in body. 
And if there were no other reason, the fact, that God rested on the 
Sabbath day, in the minds of all reflecting persons, would be sufficient 
to establish the necessity of observing the Sabbath as a day of rest, 
— even to the physical wants and constitution of man. It is called 
a day of rest — the Sabbath of the Lord — the rest ; and the Almighty 
refers to his own example, as having rested from his own works. 
And in the change of the dispensation in the New Testament, we 
have the example of Jesus Christ, who rested also from his work, as 
the Redeemer — as God the Father did from the work of Creation ; 
and in this, as in the other, we have the highest reason embodied for 
the observance of the day — namely, the example set by the omnipo- 
tent God. 

But I shall not dwell upon this argument. God has permitted us, 
in the course of observation and experience, to become acquainted 
with many facts by which this view of the subject is enforced. To 
the physical constitution of man, a rest is an absolute necessity ; and 
God has wisely ordained the alternations of day and night, to bring 
about the periodical seasons of rest and action. We find also a ne- 
cessity, every few hours, to abstain from active labor, in order to 
sustain the physical operations of the system, and to refresh the 
frame by rest and sleep. And why? Because, the physical consti- 
tution is so constructed by the God of nature, that after a few hours* 
exertion, both mind and body, in order to preserve that degree of 
vigor w^hich is necessary for useful exertion, must rest — must have a 
corresponding relaxation and absolute cessation from activity. For 
this it is that God has given us the alternations of day and night,, 



If we observe the animal creation, we shall find that the period of 
rest which God has allotcd to thcin in connexion witti his command, 
enforcing the Sabbath, is precisely that time which all experience de- 
clares is best, in order to give the greatest possible activity to the 
system. 

I well remember, Sir, that when a little boy in Kentucky, my aged 
grandfather told the following fact. He went to that State belore the 
Indians had left it ; and at that early day, a common employment 
was to carry goods between Lexington and Limestone. The road 
being bad, it was necessary to be out several weeks at a time. His 
mother had taught him to observe the Sabbath ; and it was his cus- 
torn, wherever Saturday night found him, there to remain until Mon- 
day. She declared that he always made quicker trips, with better 
health and stronger horses, than any other teamsters on that route ; 
for he was a very Ishmaelite in that respect — no others could com- 
pare with him. And in an excellent report before the British Par- 
liament, it is stated by a gentleman of Birmingham, who had been in 
the habit of conducting a stage-route, that when he rested upon the 
Sabbath, he had purchased new horses once in about three months : 
when he gave them no rest, but drove them seven days in the week, 
he was forced to buy new ones once a week ; and this is the difFer- 
eace . Most of you, too, may have seen the testimony taken before 
the British House of Commons, where the statements of the most em- 
inent physicians were taken, with regard to the effect of resting on 
the Sabbath, on the physical constitution of man. Dr. Faree, in his 
statements on this subject, is very guarded, and takes particular care 
to say that he speaks only as a medical man ; that he has nothing to 
do with the theology of the question, but solely with its physiology ; 
and he declares that, from all his experience, he is satisfied that a 
rest of one whole day in seven, is absolutely necessary; and that, 
therefore, every man should keep the Sabbath, in order to be posses- 
sed of the greatest possible degree of physical force, and to live to 
ihe greatest possible age. But there is not time nor is it important 
to enter minutely into the detail of these facts. The substance of 
the testimony is briefly this, that man's constitution requires relaxa- 
tion and rest, not only at night, but at least once in seven days, for 
a whole day ; and Dr. Faree states it as a fact, derived from his own 
observaiion and experience as a practising physician, and as the re- 
sult of the experienof! of others, that no other part of time but one. 
seventh, would appear to be appropriate for this purpose. 

There is another class of facts to which I would call the attention 
of the Convention ; and I do it merely for the purpose of requesting 
each individual to recall to his own mind the facts which must have 
fallen under his observation. I firmly believe that a large proportion 
of the ill health which now prevails in the United States, (and I speak 
only for myself when I say it,) is to be attributed to the fact that the 
rest of the holy Sabbath is not observed ; and I believe that if the 
facts could be ascertained and statistical tables prepared, it would 
be found that those who are in the habit of keeping the Sabbath of 
the Lord holy, uniformly live the longest, and are able to prosecute 
their business with the greatest vigor and success j and that those 



26 

very men who refuse to rest on the Sabbath day, are overtaken by 
premature old Bi^e, are hurried to the grave and forgotten — whereas, 
if they had kept it as a day of lest, there is the best reason to believe 
that they might have lived and flourished years longer than they did. 
I have been struck with facts during the last ten years, as it has been 
my lot to travel extensively, observed wiih regard to steam-boat cap- 
tains and captains of vessels and canal-boa\,s. I have seen those who, 
ten years before, were young and full of vigor, gray-headed and de- 
crepit, and for no other reason under heaven, than because they have 
labored seven days in the week, instead of ^fo;. They have confessed 
that they had thus worn themselves out, body and mind, by desecra- 
ting the holy Sabbath; and that is the experience of every one who 
has done it. 

But time wii^ not permit to enter upon th's subject at any groat 
length. The vvhole matter resolves itself to this, that the refusal to 
re?^ on the Sabbath, is closely connected with a train of diseases 
which ruin both mind and body. .1 need not do more than advert to 
the faot, that almost eve^y vice which scourges society, has its origin 
ia Sabbath-breaking. A man will not be a drunkard, unless he is a 
Sabbath-breaker. And, go through the land, you wUl find that the 
Washingtonians, who have been drunkards and Sabbath-breakers, 
can reform themselves only by becoming Sabbath-keepers. It has 
been tried ever and over again, and has never been found to fail, and 
it never will fail. All vices arc akin to Sabbalh-breaking, and de- 
'Pend upon it. In regard to the last fact, Sir, I appeal to every man 
forty years of age, to call to mind his old associates. Where are the 
i^onlpaaions of his youth — where are the playmates of his childhood ? 
Epho answers, where I One man v^ill tell you that it is o^ly by 
'keeping the Sabbath, that he is alive and in health; and I, for one, 
assert that many v^^ho were taught in their youth to keep the Sabbath, 
liiavc outlived, by ten or twenty years, those upon v. horn no such re- 
straint was laid. 

With these few naked hints, Sir, hoping that other gentlemen v. ill 
ivnpart valuable information upon the same point, I submit the ques- 
tion. 

Rev. Dr. Edv^aeds thought that the facts referred to by tl-e last 
speaker, and a multitude of other facts of the same kind, which might 
be enumerated, touching every department of human life, proved 
GonciUbiveiy the truth of the resolution regarding the physical con- 
stitution of man ; and, said he, I have no doubt that if the Christian 
and. philosophic medical men would follow up the thought of Dr. 
Faree in the Bntish Parliament, it would he found to be strikingly 
illustrated every where, all over the v^orld, viz. : that the individu- 
als, the family, the neighborhood, the community, v/ho do not keep 
the Sabbath, cannot, as individuals, as a family, as a neighborhood, 
or as a community, v/ith all the eifcrts they may make, enjoy the 
health v/hich will attend those who do keep that holy day — that it is 
not in tlie power of all the physicians on earth, to give that degree of 
health. Nov/ as all facts, Si'r, are only the voice of God_ speaking 
through his providence, we may v/ell be warranteu in saying to all 
people, the v/ay of the transgressor is hard. God has said it, and he 



2t: 

IS pledged lu the univorse to make ihat appear. Some men liave fuith 
in him, aiul rhey believe that sayin;^ true ; and being inovcd by that 
faith, th.< y act accordingly and receive the henein. But all niei: 
have not f'ailh: an evil heart of unbelit^' mriis theai aside, aud they 
do not bvliove that, the way of transgressors is hard ; and the Doint 
13 at issife between them and him. Now, let the pots^licrds, i ..iCy 
innst stri^'e, strive with the potsherds of earth ; bdt wo unto liini that 
shall stii -e with his Maker. He that siltctli in tiie heavens, snail 
laugh: ih'3 Lord sliall have them in derision; and ho will niake i^. 
appoar k he universe that he is true, and blessed are they ihixt think 
so in seas.)n to take the benefit of that truth. 

■ Anrt tliai, we. Sir, may do something to induce them to take that 
course, that their peace may be as a river, (Oh ! that there might be 
in them si h a heart !) is the great ofiject of this meeting. And, lo 
do something to accomplish this, I wish to say that the grand instru- 
ment of doing good to apostate man, is two-fold, exaiivplt and sound 
reason^ sound argument plainly and kindly expressed, juyt as Cod 
does dimself, who knows perfectly weW vvhat is in man, apostate as 
he is, and how to appeal to his inmost soul and turn him as the rivers 
of Witier arc turned ; and good example. Even tiie infiJc- philoso- 
phers of V'rance, highly polished, and perfectly educaLed, and d.^nly 
reflecting, and long reaching as they were, had caught this thought ; 
and when :hey v/ould accomplish their object, v/hat did they d" ? 
They set the example of rejecting truth, and then threw out upon the 
wings of the wind, the little messengers which should go every where 
especially amung tije laboring people, and convince tiiem, if possible, 
that they were oppressed, and priest-ridden, and fettered, and Si.ack- 
led ; end if they v;ould assert iheir rights, they must ihrow ofr their 
burdens. And this idea the Christian world caugiit, that if they too 
would reach the mass of the people, they must set the example, and 
then follow it with these messenge/s upon the wings of the wind ; and 
that is the origin of these tracts and tract societies. 

it is said that the Sabbath was made Ibr man. And so was the 
sun made for man ; but change its rays but a little, and, instead of 
life, it produces death. It is not made for man, then. The air was 
made jor man ; but change its combination, and we chuil inhale, at 
every breath, mortal poison. But not so now — becc/ase it was made 
for man as it now is ; and every thing v.-hich man con ols, the, beasts 
of the iieid, and the fowls of heaven, and the fish of the sea, were 
made tor man ; and the Sabbath was made h: man on the same 
principle, and man was also made for it. And where it ia oL erved 
ju&t as it v/as intended it should be, the whole moves like clock- v»'ork, 
until tlie divine will is accomplished. And in vaiTi are ail the dcr- 
vices of man to make things better ; for ho who saw a.: a glance the 
end from the beginning, said, as he viewed the whole creation, all 
very gf>od— very good — good enou.fjh lo t^atisf}- him, and it onght to 
satisfy every body else, and it womd if they 'would be contenr, to en- 
ter and become part of it. Then should we be partakerr; of his jo/ — 
h^irs of God to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and ujc.,;' shall 
never fade away ; for it is held under the best of grants : All that I 
liave, is thine. And to give to us tiiis mode of doing good, the St:b- 



28 

bath, so friendly to all the interests of man, for both worlds, he takes 
to himself, and says : " Six days shalt thou labor" — for that is re- 
quired by health, by the physical constitution and the highest comfort 
of man. He commands it to every individual under heaven, to him 
individually, with no intervention of civilized constitutions between: 
*' Thou shalt labor six days" — " the seventh is the Sabbath of the 
Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, 
nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant." And 
the Sabbath was made for the ox and the horse, and for the laboring 
animal, as really as for man : " Nor thy ox, nor thy ass, nor the 
stranger that is within thy gates." Wliy not ? For in six days 
the Lord worked himself, and set us an example, and the highest and 
best example that ever was set to man. Who will be ashamed to 
follow it ? "Who would not rather blush to depart from it ? But on 
the seventh day he rested, and thus set an example to all the earth.^ 
He thus gives us the highest example and the best of all reasons that 
ought to govern every mind under heaven ; and I cannot but think 
that if all men here would set the example to every body within their 
reach, and show forth the reasons why all men should do the same, 
we should see a stream which, like the river of God, should go forth 
to water the whole globe. For the Sabbath was made, as the reso- 
lution declares, for the moral constitution as well as the physical ; 
and at the close of the day when creation is hushed and the light is 
put away, as is necessary that the body may obtain the refreshment 
of sleep, we have here a great principle involved : that, to obtain re- 
freshment, the world must be shrouded in darkness and the noise 
must be shut out, otherwise it will be prevented ; and for that reason 
God puts the sun away and causes creation to stop its voice, in order 
that man may arise refreshed like the sun, prepared as a strong man 
to run a race. And now, as the last sun of the week has gone to 
rest, the curtain of our Heavenly Father is spread over creation ; 
and when the sun rises again in his glory, no voice is heard, no 
wheels rattle on the pavement, no shutter is open, all seem to be 
hearkening — listening. What is the matter ? Are all the people 
asleep ? JN'o : not asleep ; but still. And for what purpose ? That 
beautiful sight speaks to the inmost soul of every sinner under the 
whole heaven. It is God's preacher : it is the still, small, but ef- 
fectual voice of God speaking to the soul of man, and saying that the 
Lord God omnipotent reigneth. There is no visible presence and no 
audible voice ; but simply the silent will, silently expressed, which 
hushes all creation — all the intelligent creation made capable of 
knowing him, is hushed to silence by the simple knowledge of his 
will. How mightily efficient ! He speaks — he wills, and it is done ; 
and every body feels that he is God ; and the philosophers of France 
were no fools when they concluded that they could not root out this 
idea from the mmds of the people, so long as they let them have the 
Sabbath. It is the voice of God to creation ; and just as long as the 
Sabbath opens on him in this silence, God teaches this truth and 
makes man feel it. And that is just the preparation that every body 
needs, when they go through the streets, not talking much, nothing 
of this world, but only about God and sacred things. This is just the 



S9 

preparation needed, wlien God speaks thus to men, to save them from 
the fijuilt and pollution of sin, so tliat they shall begin to have a hea- 
ven here, to enjoy that life where youth is eternal. This influence 
is needed to prepare the truth to have a due efiect on the people. And 
if every one were taught to read, and if every one owned a Bible, 
and when he goes to his home should search it to sec what was there 
contained — if he should go thus to the fountain-head, he will know 
the truth and the truth siiall make him free under him who inspired 
it. And then we shall see intelligence, and morality, and conscience 
awakened by the finger of God : then we shall see boldness that is 
not afraid to look in the face of clay — so full of the fear of God, that 
there is room for no other fear ; then shall we see kindness proclaim- 
ing glory to Gjd, in the highest, and breathing out through all de- 
partments of human life, peace on earth and good will to men. 

Rev. Charles G. Finney, of Oberlin, said that he had been list- 
ening to those who had spoken on this subject, and had observed that 
there was one view which, for want of time, they had neglected 
to take, although it appeared to him to be very important. You will 
observe, said he, that the resolution takes this position, that the Sab- 
bath is demanded by the physical and moral constitution of man, as 
well as by the command of God. Now, I take the ground which all 
will admit, that God is both benevolent and intelligent. I take these 
two propositions for granted. I say, in the next place, the right to 
govern, is founded in the necessity for government. No being has a 
right to govern, unless government is demanded by the highest good ; 
and if God is benevolent, he will not govern his creatures, unless 
there is good reason for governing them. The same thing applies to 
all divine legislation — there is no such thing as a moral law, which is 
not founded in the necessities of moral beings. God has enacted 
no such law — he can have no right to enact any such law — 
and if he be benevolent, he w^ill not do it. Now, if we find in the 
world that God has legislated on this subject, we know it is for some 
good reason. So, if we look at the physical constitution of men, and 
see that there is necessity for a Sabbath, it might be thus inferred, 
that he would legislate upon the subject. Now, when we look at the 
moral and physical constitution of men, we find that there is there a 
demand for rest, once in seven days : the inference, of course, is that 
God would legislate on that subject ; he would pass a law on that sub- 
ject, and enjoin the observance of a Sabbath. So, if we find that he 
has made such a law, we are bound to believe that there is a necessi- 
ty for it, and that it lies in the moral and physical constitution of 
man. It should be understood that this is commanded only because 
it is necessary ; it is not enough to say that it is demanded by the 
moral and physical constitution of men, as well and truly as by the 
command of God; but it is commanded by Go4, only because it is 
necessary. If it is not necessary, then it is not obligatory. The 
will of God, independent of any reason, can never make any thing 
obligatory ; for he has no right to legislate, but for good reasons. 
This reason must lie either in our own nature, or in his. Suppose 
that he legislates upon the subject, because the best interests of uni» 
versal humanity require it : what are its sanctions ? It has been said 



30 

that he enfcrces it by iiis own example. Now, example is the hif;b- 
cpt influsnce that can bs exerted — and the example of God, is the 
1: p'.cst ill the univarse. It is often said that actions «peak, louder 
€ ■, If we have God's example before the universe,, on any 

po;.:-.:, ,/^ Lave an e_xample of the highest iniioence possible. \v'hen 
he commands, his words have power; but when he acts, he has as 
m.iicli po'ver as acts are more powerful than words, Kow, suppose 
that not for his own good, btit for ours, he has given us this example. 
Our nature needed it ; our Lord Jesus Christ, being man, needed it, 
and has also given us an example. What has absolved us from its 
obnervance ! The law must be unalterabl}^ binding ; the day may 
be changed, but while our moral and physical natures are as they are 5 
one-seventh part of the time is needed for rest — rest from our ordi- 
nary avocations. If there ever was a good reason for this command, 
it is obligatory now ; if there never was a good reason, then it never 
was obligatory. If it ever was, then it ever will be, as long as w ; 
dwell on the earth — no authority in heaven, or on earth,, can set it 
aside. If the reason be in the nature of men, it must remain. There 
can be no such thing as an obligation to observe the Sabbath once, 
and not always. The truth is, the command exists because there 
v/as necessity for it in the nature of men ; and while the nature of 
men remains the same, the command will be as stable as the universe. 
y/hen it is said, therefore, by the resolution, that the Sabbath is de- 
manded by the physical and moral constitution of m.en, as really as 
by the command of God, I add that it is a command of God for that 
reason, and so far as we know, for no other ; and the fact is, that the 
command is needed, if God is benevolent. We must either deny the 
benevolence of Gad, or admit that the necessity for the Sabbath lies 
deep in the constitution of human nature, and that it is riov/ and for 
ever oblifmtory. 

Rev. Dr. Luoxey, of Rochester, said that if he had been capable 
of analyzi7ig the resolution, its main object is to enforce tiiis truth : 
tliEit the physical and moral well-being of man reqviires a Sabbath ; 
and in view of this necessity, the Sabbath was ordained. It seemed 
to him that, if this truth could once be distinctly and sufficiently im- 
pressed on the minds of community, and men should be brought to 
believe it, it would greaily influence their action, with regard to rest- 
ing on the Sabbath. It adds a selfish, to all other motives on the 
the subject. All men regard happiness and health ; and once satisfy 
themx that any course of action will promote these, and they will a( 
once adopt it. But, for some reason, they are exceedingly tardy in 
learning a lesson like this. The resolution, as I understand it, asserts 
that the Sabbath is an ordinance of God — that the observance of it, 
is required by the law of Grod, and is, as such, enjoined by the con- 
stitution of man.. Admit the first — that it is demanded by the law of 
God, and you have a strong argument in favor of the last. God is 
good — and when you establish the first, the other follows, of course. 
If, v/hen God adjusted light to the eye, and the eye to light, the air to 
the lungs, and the lungs to the air, he, at the same time, adjusted 
society to the Sabbath, and the Sabbath to society, he did what was 
perfectly in accordance with his whole government, in regard toman. 



31 

On thb ground, tlierefore, all wlto believe the divino, nnd tiiiiversal, 
and perfei't ohii, ttioii of tin- Sobhulli, have an artrumcnt at occe ia 
favor of it ^ nccf.ssiiy for man'tj ;)liy>.ical wc'l-bcing ; jkhI ii' \\r- cott}d 
Dot ^^ee cm- singl 3 physiologicai argument in faw i i's alone 

^oUld be coDclucjivo, 

• It may be tliat with many present, this questi*>n will be decided 
upon this ground ; but it may hv well fix>m other sources, to draw an 
argument in fovor of the Sabbath, as calculated to promote heaith and 
liappi?K>ss. I listened with great interest, said Dr. Luckb/, to the 
re-marks made upon this part of the subiocl — especially l>y the first 
speaker (Mr. Curuy) — whose observation enables hira to speak upon 
is: with auihority, and I titlach to his opinions tlie greatest v/eight — 
and I listened to liim with great interest and attention. 1 regret 
that tills a>pect of the subject is iiot more (iQn-3T3.\iy considered. 1 
know :jot why it is that the physiolcgical bearings of tlie question 
have not bt;en more generally spread before the community* It 
seems strange that medical men have not more generally insiated up- 
on the fact, that myn needs one da^v in seven, for his own bodiij' 
health. But it seems as if Providence had clearK directed atten- 
tion to this subject. Gentlemen have alluded to testimony taken be- 
fore a committee of the Biitish House of Commons, of which it may 
be useful to make farther mention. Some seven or eight yevji's ago, 
the attention of the British Government was called to this question, 
and a committee was appointed to examine it. They did so, tho- 
roughly. I have seen only an abridged account of their conckisions : 
but from the evidence then taken, it would seem that the spirit of the 
British nation, with regard to the observance of the Sabbath, is not 
favorable and propitious. As a portion of the evidence, there is giv- 
en a very grave examination of Dr. Faiij^e, an eminent physician of 
forty years' practice — who had studied this subject more closely than 
any other. His examination was exceedingly rtrict. and his evidence 
of great importance. I advert to tliis fact, for the reason, that when 
I left here, I accidentally laid my hands on a volume containing an 
extract from his testimony. I do not Jmovv' that it vroidd be worth 
while to read the whole of it, as it iras been already placee before the 
world ; but the question has nqt heretofore been presented as fully 
as it ought to have been ; and as I am not capable of doing this in so 
forcible a light, as the testimony of Dr. Faeee does it, 1 have thought 
that it might be well to read a portion of it before this Conventio?;. 
in order to its more general dissemination, and its salutary effect. 1 
will read it, so far as it particularly relates to the main point involved 
in this resolution : 

" As a day of rest, I viev/ the Sabbath as a day of compensation 
for the inadequate restorative power of the body under continued la- 
bor and excitement. A physician always has respect to the preserva- 
tion of the restorative power, because, if once this be lost, his healing 
office is at an end. If I show you from the physiological view of 
the question, that there are provisions in the law of nature, which 
correspond with the divine commandment, you will see from the an- 
alogy, that ' the Sabbath was made for man' as a necessary appoint- 
ment. A physician is anxious to preserve the balance of Circulation, 



32 

as necessary to the restorative power of the body. Tlie ordinary 
exertions of man run down the circulation every day of his hfe ; and 
the first general law of nature, by which God prevents man from 
destroying himself, is the alternating of day with night, that repose 
may succeed action. But although the night apparently equalizes 
the circulation well, yet it does not sufficiently restore its balance for 
the attainment of a long life. Hence, one day in seven, by the 
bounty of Providence, is thrown in as a day of compensation 
to perfect, by its repose, the animal system. You may easily 
determine this question, as a matter of fact, by trying it on beasts 
of burden. Take that fine animal, the horse, and work him to the 
full extent of his powers, every day in the week, or give him rest one 
day in seven ; and you will soon perceive, by the superior vigor with 
which he performs his functions on the other six days, that this rest is 
necessary to his well-being. Man, possessing a superior nature, is 
borne along by the very vigor of his mind, so that the injury o^ contin- 
ual diurnal exertion and excitement on his animal system, is not so 
immediately apparent, as in the brute ; but, in the long run, he 
breaks down more suddenly — it abridges the length of his life, and 
that vigor of his old age, which, (as to mere animal power) ought to 
be the object of his preservation. I consider, therefore, that in the 
beautiful provision of Providence, for the preservation of human life, 
the Sabbatical appointment is not, as it has been sometimes theologi- 
cally viewed, simply a precept partaking of the nature of a political 
institution ; but that it is to be numbered among the natural duties, if 
the preservation of life be admitted to be a duty, and the premature 
destruction of it, a suicidal act. This is said simply as a physician, 
and without reference at all to the theological question ; but if you 
consider further, the effect of real Christianity, namely, peace of 
mind, confiding trust in God, and good-will to man, you will perceive 
in this source of renewed vigor to the mind, and through the mind, to 
the body, an additional spring of life, imparted from this higher use 
of the Sabbath, as a holy rest. Were I to pursue this part of the 
question, I should be touching on the duties committed to the clergy ; 
but this I will say, that researches in physiology, by the analogy of 
Providence in nature, will establish the truth of revelation, and, con- 
sequently, show that the divine commandment is not to be considered 
as an arbitrary enactment, but as an appointment necessary to man. 
This is the position in which I would place it, as contradistinguished 
from precept and legislation. I would point out the Sabbatical rest as 
necessary to man ; and that the great enemies of the Sabbath, and, 
consequently, the enemies of man, are all laborious exercises of the 
body or mind, and dissipation, which force the circulation on that day 
in which it should repose ; while relaxation from the ordinary cares 
of life, the enjoyment of this repose in the bosom of one's family, with 
the religious studies and duties which the day enjoins, (not one of 
which, if rightly exercised, tends to abridge life,) constitute the bene- 
ficial and appropriate services of the day. The student of nature, in 
becoming the student of Christ, will find in the principles of his doc- 
trine and law, and in the practical application of them, the only and 
perfect science which prolongs the present, and perfects the future 
life.'' 



33 

These remarks Dr. Faree makes simply as a physician. I do not 
wish to detain the Convention lon^j^er, nor sliould I have done so so 
long, but for my desire that t'lis testimony might be as widely spread 
as possible. 

Rev. Mr. Reechek, of Batavia, said that there was one remark 
which he would like to add to what had been said upon this subject. 
He wished to allude to the peculiarly excitable character of the 
American nation. The very natural scenery of the country — its 
mountains, its mines, and its whole chamcter, are calculated to make 
the American mind move with steam-like rapidity. This is natural 
and unavoidable. It has occasional stops, but it soon moves on again 
with increased rapidity. Now, just in proportion to this excitement, 
is the physical system worn out and taxed. This influence is great- 
er in this country, than in Europe; for in those nations of the old 
world every thing moves on with its old-fashioned pace. But in this 
country, every thine goes hy steam — and the faster the better; our 
people would want to ichij) up. on a streak of lightning ! 

Now, the Sabbath comes in, and brings new thoughts and influen- 
ces — soothing to the mind ; it calms all excitement, and with its sa- 
cred stillness, brings a holy rest to the soul. Now, this influence is 
needed in this country, more than in any other. We need that one 
day in seven ; the excitement which is so high on every other day, 
should be cooled ; that the fever of the chase after wealth, honors, or 
other objects of worldly ambition, should be calmed by the soft and 
gentle influences of this holy day. 

Dr. Edwards, of Andover. wished to add a single thought, which 
would show still more clearly, the wonderful adaptation of the Sab- 
bath to the wants of man. Even after reason and intellect are un- 
balanced, and when it is necessary for the subject of such affliction 
to be confined to the public charities the gospel has provided, where 
we may be treated kindly, one of the most efficient medicines which 
cr.n be administered, has been found to be the observance of the Chris- 
tian Sabbath, and its public worship. So that a very intelligent, but 
rather skeptical, philosophic physician, who had some doubts whether 
the gospel were really true — and whether the Sabbath were indeed a 
divine institution, had his doubts removed when he came to find how 
exactly adapted it was to man — not to the moral man merely, but 
even to the intellectual wreck — how fitted it was to bind up the brok- 
en-hearted, and to bring deliverance to the captive ; all his hesitation 
was swept away, and he was forced to confess that the Sabbath must 
be fi om God. So wonderfully was it adapted, not only to the healthy, 
but to the sick. Every where, and in all circumstances, the Sabbath 
is like the balm of Gilead — provided by the Great Physician for the 
healing of the nations. 

Rev. Mr. Church, of Rochester, wished to make a single sugges- 
tion with reference to this subject. What adapts the Sabbath so ex- 
actly to the nature of man, is the regularity and the character of its 
rest. Every nation on earth enjoys its rest from labor ; but it is not 
always regular — it is only occasional. But the rest of the Sabbath 
comes like the succession of day and night. The first day of the 
week comes with its regular cessation from labor, and brings with it 
3 



34 

a periodical rest from all harassing thoughts. Then look at the na- 
ture ox the rest it affords. All nations, as I said, have their seasons 
of relaxation ; but in most, they are given up to amusements of some 
sort — to pleasures more deleterious to the system, than the daily toil 
of the week. But the Sabbath teaches us to devote the day to a rest 
nalutary to the mind and to the moral feelings. The bodily frame, 
in order to its physical health, not only needs a relaxation from ac- 
tual toil, but it requires the healing influence of holy thoughts ; and 
in the observance of the Sabbath, it finds all these wants supplied. 

Rev. Mr.WisNER, of Ithaca, said that he wished to make a renmrk 
on one point which had been overlooked — the influence of the Sabbath 
on the sick. He had been a good deal among the sick, and had often 
seen that in large villages and cities, during the six days of the week, 
they enjoyed no rest or quiet, by reason of tlie incessant noise — the 
rattling of carriages over the pavements, and the hallooing which was 
universally prevalent : they, therefore, would prize most highly the 
rest of the Sabbath, when all was still and quiet. Mr. W. had 
no hesitation in saying that he believed, imperfectly as the Sabbath 
is now observed, that multitudes of valuable lives had been saved by 
it — which would have been sacrificed, had there been no such rest. 
He only adverted to the circumstance, that it might not be lost — that 
it might not want a place in the minds of all, as an important consid- 
eration in favor of the observance of the Sabbath. Blot out the Sab- 
bath, and you blot out the only day of rest and quiet ever enjoyed in 
a commercial city. 

Rev. Tryon Edwards, of Rochester, would only advert to one fact. 
The celebrated Earl of Chatham, while Cabinet Minister, transacted 
as much business on Sunday, as on any other day of the week. The 
physican who attended him before his death, and who was well ac- 
quainted with his personal habits, expressed the opinion that his life 
was shortened many years by his constant mental exertions. He 
died the victim of the violated laws of his own physical constitution 
— the victim of Sabbath-breaking! A gentleman of A ew- York had 
informed him that of fourteen young men in that city, who were Sab- 
bath-breakers, thirteen became int mperate. Thus has God bound 
one sin to another, as links in the chain of moral death, and all sin to 
ruin ! He would also add, although not immediately bt-aring on this 
resolution, that it had been publicly stated by a merchant of very 
high standing, that he had particularly noticed that those merchants 
in New-York, who kept their counting-rooms open on the Sabbath, 
during his residence there, (tweniy-five years) had failed, without an 
exception. Thus does God in his providence, frown on those who 
violate his laws, and disregard his Sabbath. 

The question was then taken on the resolution, and it was unani- 
mously adopted. The Convention then adjourned. 

Thursday, 8-| o'clo(?k, A. M. 

The Convention again assembled, and was opened by prayer by 
Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca. 

The journal of the precedmg day was read by one of the Secreta- 
ries. 



35 

Dr. Edwards then introducrd a numbt?r of additional resolutions 
for tiio consideration of the Convention, whicii were laid on tlie table. 

Mr. HicKOK, of Buffalo, rose to ask that, in the discussions of that 
day, as many members will take a part, as possible. He wanted 
every man to give his cognmvt on tiie great question which formed 
the subjects of discussion. He wanted them to sign the pledge, as 
had been tbne witli reference to another subject. He wanted every 
man in the house to speak, even if it were but for a minute — laymen 
as well as the clergy. He always heard the clergy with great pleas. 
ure, but he asked that now every man might speak out his mind ; 
a!>d, said he, if every one will here give his cognovit, he will be bound 
to "US in strong bonds, forever. I should like it if the time for speak- 
ing were limited to five minutes, in order that every one might have 
a chance to speak. At any rate, he hoped the fifteen- minutes rule 
would be strictly adhered to, as, if the Convention should only sit for 
that day, he feared many would be deprived of the opportunity to 
speak. 

Judge WiLKESON, of BufTalo, said that, as the Convention was prin- 
cipally composed of members of the church, there would, of course, 
be little difficulty in uniting upon what was the will of God with re- 
gard to the observance of the Sabbath. We shall, said he, find no 
difficulty in determining what is our duty in relation to its observ- 
ance. But there is another point which is not so clear : that is, what 
is it our duty to do, to arrest the desecration of the Sabbath ? when 
shall vre begin ? what shall we do ? to what parts shall we direct 
our influence ? All these resolutions, and all the discussion of mem- 
bers, are very well ; but unless they embrace a practical point, they 
will utterly fail. If we would accomplish aiy thing, we must have 
some practical proposition in view. We might go on and interest 
each other for weeks, with explanations of general principles, and we 
might derive from them some benefit. This is all very well, and 
would be perfectly proper if we had time, and if it were a season of 
the year when it could be well attended to. But we have only a 
few hours to remain together ; though even for that, we ought to be 
heartily thankful ; and, for my own part, I feel under great obliga- 
tions to the individuals who have called the Convention together. 
We must now contrive to make it the most available. We must 
go on to something practical. It is scarcely necessary that we should 
go on with a long discussion respecting the recognition of the Sab- 
bath. Surely, surely, this is quite unnecessary at this time and be- 
fore this Convention. It may have been well enough, while the Bu. 
siness Committee had under consideration ways and means by which 
Christians could act in concert to efTect this desirable object, the ar- 
rest of Sabbath desecration. This is what is now wanted. 

Reference has been made to what was done in 1829 — to the efforts 
made here — and to the method in which God has blessed these efforts. 
I might inquire, without the slightest disrespect to the good men who 
took part in those efforts, why it was that we failed at that time. It 
was a Christian effort, and why did it fail ? The defeat came from 
the church. Ask every man, every minister, what was the cause of 
the failure ; and he can tell you that it failed because the church 
3* 



was not ready. She entered into the cause coldly, and in a worldly 
manner. At that time, for my own part, I cared nothing about the 
observance of the Sabbath ; but I patronized the " Six-Day Line" of 
stages, out of regard for my own personal safety : they were mana- 
ged by better and more trust- worthy men than the others. And I 
continued to patronize them till they went down. 

Now the proper course for this Convention, is to address itself to 
the feelings, to the understandings, and to the consciences of the 
church ; and to ascertain how far they are disposed to go in ihe mat- 
ter. We may go on enlightening one another here for a week, with 
these general discussions ; and what shall we then know more than 
>ve do nov/ ? It is not enough that we enjoin upon every father of a 
family, that he wake on the Sabbath morning and contemplate the 
goodness of God — that he feel its blessed influences — that he regard 
it as a relief from the tire of the house and the field — that change of 
apparel is to be made — and that a cheerful thankfulness be felt to 
God, that he has given to man all these privileges. We do not want 
a Convention to give instruction upon these points, but to teach us 
what we shall do to bring our influence to bear upon the church and 
the world, to put a stop to this desecration of the Sabbath. 

We might go on and relate very interesting incidents connected 
with this subject; and thus occupy the whole time of the Convention. 
My friend from Cleveland might have given an instructive and in- 
teresting history of his efforts ten or twelve years ago, when he 
brought his influence to bear upon the keepers of ware-houses to in- 
duce them to shut their houses on the Sabbath. There was one man, 
an infidel, who declared that he would continue to work on the Sab- 
bath ; and he did so. That man was then worth half a million ; and 
he was the first to take the benefit of the insolvent act in the United 
States. All these things show how the providences of God reach 
man in his daily business. You need not ask a traveller in the far 
West, what are the indications in any neighborhood that the Sabbath 
is kept : the very atmosphere indicates it. I will refer to one in- 
stance, at the Iron Mountain of the South- Western corner of Missouri. 
When I was travelling there, I came across a little valley village, 
full of quiet and beautiful order. Every man was a supporter of the 
Sabbath-school, and went to church ; and there was no need that any 
one who should once see the place, should ask whether the Sabbath 
was kept there or not. Five miles distant, there was a distiller ; and 
no man need ask there, either, if the Sabbath was kept. There was 
no rest, no peace, no prosperity. 

I have had some experience among men, and in marking the ef- 
fect of the influences which usually affect their actions ; and I know 
that we must have a point to begin at. Unless the church is ready 
for this movement, this practical effort, the Convention may as well 
adjourn and go home. The church only can do it, and the church 
only ought to do it ; for it is she alone that reaps the full benefit of 
the observance of the Sabbath. As soldiers of Jesus Christ, her 
members must buckle on their armor and enlist in this fight. If not 
they, who is to do it ? Let us inquire if the church is ready for the 
work. Are her ministers ready ? Let them ask themselves — and 



37 

they mny as well do it now. Arc they rrsohito enough to talce hold 
of it in earnest ? Let each minister ask himself if he is ready ? Why, 
he hopos he is. Well, what have you done — what icifl you do ? Will 
you place tlie subject before your congregation, and induce them to 
exert their influence upon this subject? 

Rut how shall that influence be directed? W\\] you support a 
*' Six Oay Line," and will you carry it out ? This man who has 
star*' d it, has great competition — will you help him sustain it ? Will 
you bear part of his loss ? Will you forward your goods from Ro- 
chester to New- York, by that line only ; and will you give to it all 
your support ? Will you pledge yourselves not to travel on the 
Sabbath day, nor to support a line that does? You need enter into 
no coiwbination against others ; but will you honestly give them the 
prefonnce, under the fear of God ? Unless you do all, your other 
efforts will be unavailing. If you are travelling, will you put your- 
selves to a little inconvenience, to travel by a "Six Day Line?" 
Will you advise others to do it — not coldly, but press it as a sok mn 
duty ? Will you make the greatest possible efforts to induce stock- 
holders in canals and steam-boats, and in rail-roads, to abs'ain from 
Sabbath labor ? Will you press tlje subject, as it will appear to you 
at the Day of Judgment? Will you make it a matter of church 
conference and church supplication for almighty aid ? 

These are only glances at the practical efforts that must be made ; 
but I wish the matter to come up distinctly before the Convention. 

It would be exceeding delightful to go on with these gener^al dis- 
cussions ; but we must eome to some practical point. The conmiands 
of God are plain on the subject : we wish to a\vaken a sense of re- 
sponsibility, to devise a plan for active exertion, and to know what is 
practicable and wise, for we are not at all in the dark, as to what is 
rigJit. 

But I have already occupied more time than I intended. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaoa, approved of the^e sentiments, but 
thought the discussion was becomin^^ too desultory. 

The Pr F.SID KNT said that the debate was not in order, as there was 
no resolution before the house. 

JjDGE WiLKESON said that he intended when he rose, to call up the 
next resolution, but he had forgotten it. 

The fifth resolution was then read, as follows : 

5. Resolved, 'J'hat, without the observance of the Sabbath, the high- 
est and most permanent, bodily health and mental vigor, the greatest 
intellectual elevation, moral purity, and social enjoyment, can never 
be obtained. 

The question being taken upon this resolution, it was unanimously 
adopted. 

The sixiJi resolution, as follows, was then read : 

6. Resolved, That the observance of the Sabbath is essential to the 
highest and most permanent pecuniary interests of a people, as well 
<is to the purity and permanence of free institutions ; and that the 
violation of it is injurious to men in this world, as really as in the 
world to come. 

The question being taken, this resolution was also unanimously 
adopted. 



38 

The seventh resolution was then read : 

7. Resolved, That as free institutions cannot be maintained and 
rendered blessings, without intelligence and virtue anaong the pf ople ; 
and as these cannot be secured without the observance of the Sabbath, 
no enlightened friend of such inslitutiorss will knowingly allow him- 
self to trample on the sanctity of that holy day. 

And on taking the question, this also was unanimously adopted. 
The eighth resolution was then read, as follows: 

8. Resolved, That, as the duty and utility of remembering ihp Sab- 
bath day and keeping it holy, are not only inculcated abundantly in 
the Bible, but are also often, in the course of Providence, strikingly 
illustrated by facts; all who become acquainted with such facis, are 
requested to cause them to be published and circulated as extensively 
as possible. 

This resolution was also adopted unanimously. 
The ninth resolution was then read : 

9. Resolved, That the observance of the Sabbath is the right, ^s 
well as the privilege and duty, of all classes in the community ; and 
the blessings of it were designed by its divine Author, to extend to 
the laboring animals; and that the requiring oi either man or beast 
to labor on that day for the purpose of pecuniary gain, is gross in- 
justice toward the one and great cruelty toward the otht-r ; audit 
ought to be abandoned throughout the Christian world. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca, said that, under leave, he would like 
to make a few remarks u pen fart of this resoltion. As be -did not 
intend to trespass upon the rule, he should speak only of a single 
point — the inaliena^ble right of the laboring class to enjoy the rest of 
the Sabbath. It is a point. Sir, he said, upon which my mind has 
long dwelt. I- consider every man as enjoying the right to keep the 
Sabbath. It is a right which God has given him, and no man can 
infringe upon that right without cruelty and injustice. Look, Sir, at 
the laboring class of community. It is true, in the Providence of 
God, and it always will be true, that in community there is one class 
of employers and another of employed. There has always been in 
every country a class of laborers, men who are dependent for their 
subsistence upon their employers. Now the question is, shall these 
men be deprived of the privilege which their employers enjoy, ©f 
resting on the Sabbath ? That is the question, to my mind. The 
•employer can sit at his ease in his parlor and' keep his men at work, 
.and there keep the Sabbath himself, while all his. men are at work 
.ti.pon that day. But is he not depriving them of a privilege which 
he is enjoying himself? And where is his authority for depriving 
th ^m of that privilege ? Lookat the evils which result to the labor- 
ing man, from his being forced to labor on the Sabbath. In the first 
place, his health is impaired. And "here let me advert to a fact 
which confirms the position taken by a preceding resolution. It has 
been observed that men who are sent to our State-prisons with bro- 
ken health, almost always come out with health greatly improved. 
Now I am clearly of opinion that one of the principal reasons of this 
is, that in the State-prison every prisoner enjoys the privi'eres of 
the Sabbath. He is forced to labor six days ; and yet, by resting 



39 

on the Sabbath, his health is greatly improved. Now here is one of 
the inalienable riiihts ot' the laboring man, so benefioial to him in 
every respeet, taken from him by his employer ; and the first consc- 
quenee is that his health is severely impaired. 

But there is another result. His mind — his intellectual faculties 
are impaired by being deprived of rest on the Sabbath. Nor is this 
all — uorthewo'st. Mis moral powers are seriously injured. But 
I do not mean to dwell upon this part of the subject. 

Now what is the result of this infraction of the inalienable rights 
of the laboring man upon his social and his do)nestic privilege ? He 
is utterly deprived of the privilege of enjoying his domestic comforts 
with his family. For when can the labonng man go to the l)osom of 
his household, and there enjoy its blessings ? Only on the Sabbath: 
during every other day in the week he is at hard labor ; at night his 
wearied frame needs refreshment and repose. And when you take 
the Sabbath from him, you take the dearest enjoyments of his life, 
and all his social blessings. Here then the man who desecrates the 
Sabbath, deprives the laboring man of health, of intellectual vigor, 
of moral purity, and f)f all his dearest and most cherished comforts. 
Is this to be tolerated ? Look at the representations we had yester- 
day from the boatmen — th--^ sailors! Hi ar liow loudly they com- 
plain! and what would be the result should they assert their rights? 
Two crews were dismissed because they would not violate God's 
commands, and surrender one of their dearest inalienable rights. It 
is a kind of cruelty and despotism on the part of the employers, 
which the laboring class have a right to frown down and resist to the 
life, if necessary. 

Permit me to advert to one fact, which shows how men, who have 
a high sense of honor, even though they be wicked men, regard this 
matter. Tt has been my privilege, for about two years, to live in St. 
Louis. When I went there, I expected to find it a very wicked 
place ; and though I did find a great deal of wickedness, I often 
made the remark that there was no meanness there. A viean man 
can't live in St. Louis. He will at once be called a picayune man, 
and then he may as well leave that city. Now you will never hear 
a captain there tell his men to load or unload a boat on the Sabbath ; 
and why ? Not because they have any religious scruples. But the 
very vilest of them would despise it. Sir, as an act of mcann'^ss. 
They maintain that the laborers have as good a right to the rest of 
the Sabbaih, as they have themselves; and they will resent it as an 
insult, if you ask them why they do not require their men to labor 
on the Sabbath. This shows how a noble and high-minded people, 
even though influenced by no regard for religion, look upon the prac- 
tice of requiring their laboring men to work upon the Sabbath. I 
wish the laborers at the North, would give their employers to under- 
stand that it was not only wicked, but mean and contemptible, to ask 
them to labor on the Sabbath; and rise up and refuse obedience. 
I know there are great difficulties in the way. I know that many 
of them would lose their employment, and would thus be unable to 
procure bread for their families. And I wish, therefore, that society 
would take hold of the matter. Every man ought to lift up his voice 



40 

against this system of oppression which is practiced upon the labor- 
ing man. 

It is with shame and regret that I am obliged to say, that the 
government of my country requires its laborers to work on the Sab- 
bath. Yes, the men at the head of the Post-Office department, tell 
their laborers plainly, that they cannot be allowed to serve their 
country unless they violate a command of God, and give up one of 
their dearest inalienable rights. Virtually, the first question, to an 
applif^ant for the pos<^-office is, are you willing to give up this right 
to rest on the Sabbath ? If they answer no I then they will not do 
for the service of their country. They must be slaves seven days 
in the week instead, of six. Here is one of the most oppressive acts 
of which any government was ever guilty. I wish that the Conven- 
tion would lock c.t this subject and do what it can, as this resolution 
contemplates, to arouse a sense of independence and self-respect on 
this subject, in the minds of the laboring class. It seems to me, if 
we could speak to government respectfully on this point, and let 
them see what we are doing — ^for I am satisfied that they do not 
clearly understand how the country regards the matter — we shall 
avail something. They tell us, to be sure, that we need not accept 
office. True : but we are put upon this dilemma — either to be dis- 
qualified for office, or to surrender one of our inalienble rights, and 
desecrate the Sabbath. One or the other we must do. Just so, says 
the employer on the rail-road or the canal-boat: We do not compel 
you to work for us : but if you do, you must labor on the Sabbath. 
Just so say the managers of the English factories, to the parents of 
the children upon whom they practice such horrid oppression. "You 
need not send your children here unless you are willing they should 
work fourteen hours in a day. You have your choice." Yesl they 
have the choice either to let the children starve at home, or be killed 
at a factory I This is the same liberty as our laboring classes enjoy 
v/ith regard to rest on the Sabbath. 

Mr. HicKoE, of Buffalo, said it was with no ordinary feeling that 
he arose to ac'dress the assembly on that subject, which had long 
dwelt upon his mind. He felt, that at this time, as a people, this 
country was receiving the just judgments of Almighty God, for 
desecrating the Sabbath ; and as has been already hinted^ the judg- 
ment falls where the sin commenced — at the very head of the govern- 
ment — at what should be the fountain of wisdom and justice. My 
belief is, said he, that the requirements of God's holy word are bind- 
ing on all people and all nations, and that they will be so as long as, 
God rules — and no other power can add one iota to their force. And 
now, if gentlemen will take the word of God, and read the denuncia- 
tions there written against those who desecrate the Sabbath ; and if 
they will in their hearts believe that it is GoD^who pronounces them, 
I do not believe that it will be necessary to say any thing more. If 
Christians will only read the denunciations in the word of God, and 
believe that God is righteous, they will need no argument on this 
subject to bring them to a conviction of their duty, and to see that 
it is only necessary to keep the commands of God, tor happiness ia 
this world, and in the world to come. 



41 

I have lived in this country over thirty years. I saw the place 
where stands this proud city, when it was nothing but a wilderness — 
when there was no sound licard but the howling of the wolf and the 
cry of the Indian. Now look upon it, and see what God has 
wrought ! No man can look upon these things and not feel that we 
owe a mighty debt of gratitude to the Almighty, for the blessings he 
has, in such profusion, showered upon us. He has blessed us more 
than any people on the face of the earth. But, Sir, do we verily 
believe that the evils which afflict this country, are judgments from 
the hand of God ? Who can witness the avalanche that has gone 
over the land — the scenes of 1836 — in which every man, Christian 
or not, was, to some exten', affected ; when every one hasted to be 
rich, and built castles in the air — so soon to be demolished ; and not 
feel that the hand of God is in the world ? 

I became intoxicated with the rest of my countrymen, when I saw 
all around me growing rich so fast. I embarked in the same 
schemes, and felt as if I had increased my stores ; and said, with 
the man of whom we read in scripture, '* I will pull down my barns 
and build greater." I thought then that I would be liberal — ihat 
I would use my money for advancing the kingdom of Christ, to 
build churches, and aid the benevolent institutions of the day. But 
God taught me that my property was not my own. I did not bring 
it all into the store-house of the Lord, and he has taught me a lesson 
for which I shall ever be grateful. I rejoice that he has taught me 
that the strength of the Christian is not in the multitude of horses or 
of chariots, but in the power of God — and to God would I this day 
give all the glory. Now, if we will wilh one heart and one mind, 
come up to the help of the Lord in this mighty work, God will bless 
us; and we shall, as a people, dwell in the high places of our God. 
God has promised to bless all who will keep holy his Sabbaths ; and 
I appeal to every man in this Christiai^ assembly, who has ever 
made one single effort in the cause of God, for which the Savior came 
from heaven to earth, if he has not found manifold truth in the saying 
of Christ, that " no man hath forsaken father or mother, or houses or 
lands, but he shall receive in this life a hundred fold, and in the 
world to come, life everlasting." I well remember the time when it 
was a common saying, that the Sabbath never crossed over the Genesee 
river. We had none of its privileges; but the efibrts of Christians 
have brought about a great change in this respect. But I appeal to 
you if there has not been, for years past, too much of the infidelity 
of France, spread over this people — if it has not got into the halls 
of Congress — and if it is not time to call upon this people to repent 
before God shall have utterly forsaken them, that he may agian 
smile upon and bless us. 

I do not wish to intrude upon the time of the Convention ; I only 
wish to say. that if God shall give me life and energies, I hereby 
pledge them to the service of this good work ; and it appears to me, 
that this is, of all seasons, the most appropriate for the effort. I 
would say, also, with my friend from Buffalo, (Prof. Wilkeson,) that 
the church is fearfully behind in this work. The laboring classes 
of our community, have been long deprived of the rights and privi- 



42 

leges of the Sabbath ; and who shall aid our boatmen and sailors to 
assert their rights and demand a retraction of their privileges, unless 
it be the Christian church ? 

Mr. Pearson, of Genesee county, said he should confine the few 
remarks he had to make, to two points. The first was the importance 
of the Sabbath, as a sign between God and his people, in a national 
light. We are told, in the Bible, that God o;ave his people the Sab- 
bath to be a sign between him and them. But we see that the chil- 
dren of Israel disregarded the Sabbath, just as our nation is doing 
in the regulations of its post-office department, which belouirs to the 
whole country, and may appropriately be called the Inugs of the na. 
tion. We see the Sabbath polluted, then, at the fountain ; and of 
course all the streams that flow from it will be corrupt also. He 
regarded all the commercial distress whic now presides over the 
land, as a judgment of God for our violation of his Sabbaths. Never 
before have embarrassments in every department of industry and of 
business been so general. Men may attribute this, some to one po- 
litical casue, and others to another ; but he saw behind all these 
causes, the desecration of God's holy day, as the chief source of all 
our calamities. 

The other point to which he wished to call attention was, that the 
children of Israel signed a covenant, pledging themselves to observe 
the Sabbath, and keep the commands of God. Now the penalty of 
their disobedience was to be paid by their children ; and how did 
they suffer for it? By the seventy years captivity in Babylon, into 
which they had been led, that the land might enjoy rest. Now if 
we suffer the violation of the Sabbath to go on unchecked, we may 
not only suffer the penalty ourselves, but our children after us, may 
be brought into suffering by it. If, then, we look at the subject with 
that degree of concern and interest which it merits, we shall, as 
members of the body of Christ, as patriots and pliilanthropisls, do all 
that we can to stop this sin, so that we may not leave it to our chil- 
dren to pay so fearful a penalty for our disobedience. 

Mr. Starr, of Rochester, said that the Bible had been quoted ; and 
he believed that from it is derived all the knowledge of our duties 
and obligations that we need. If we yield to it a full belief, we 
shall need no farther argument to convince us of the course it is pro- 
per to pursue. But, said he, how much do we believe it ? You may 
see it by its influence upon our conduct. Denunciations of God reach 
from the begfinninc: to the end of that book, against those who violate 
the Sabbath-day. But who regards this? Is it not true that both 
priest and people seem to regard the commandment enjoining the ob- 
servance of the Sabbath, as somewhat different from the other com- 
mands of God — as a little less obligatory — that it does not mean pre- 
cisely what it says ? For who that really believes the word of God, 
could act as the mass of men, even in the church, do act ? No man, 
I say, can fully believe the word of God, and then look at the histo- 
ry of the past, as a guide to the future, and go on in the desecration 
of the Sabbath. The Jews, we are expressly told, were removed 
from their country, that the land might have rest on the Sabbaths of 
the Lord. It has been more than hinted that the judgments now 



43 

poured upon our land, have more or less to do with tho violation or 
obsorv..nce of the Sahhath day. Look over the land to day ; look 
at the ruultitudes of failures arjd disasters which spread from one end 
of the land to the other. Who has failed ? Who has been able to 
keep the money he has male? I call attention to it; for I hflieve 
the matter will bear investigation. Of the few who have not failed, 
a great proportion have been of those who did not make their nioney 
by Sabbat h • breaki ni; ; and of those who have failed, a larjre propor- 
tion have been of those who have been enixajred in the violations of 
the Sabbath. Look around our country — upon the whole lenji'h of 
our canals — at our forwarders and millers, and businessmen : ^nd I 
aver that the truth will show my statement to be true; and that 
God is the God of the Sabbath, to-day, as he has ever been; and 
the reason why the fact does not vStand ou<^ as clearly in our hisiory, 
as it does in that of the Jews, is because our history does n^t crowd a 
hundred years into a short space as the Bible docs; for in that we 
read the history of a whole generation, and the result is given 
at once. Not so with us. We see men living in violation of God's 
law, By-and-by, one after another goes by the board, and if we 
could see the connection so clearly as it is laid down in the history 
of the Jews, we should see the same result. I ask for an inve.sliga- 
tion of this matter ; as it is one which I have stui'.ied with some care, 
for the last two years. 

The resolution sets forth iherights of the laboring man, with regard 
to the Sabbath. Now, Sir, 1 am a laboring man myself — and I hold 
the sentiment of the resolution to be true. I say, Sir, that there is not 
a more intolerable slavery under heaven, than that which is now 
practiced, in enforcinoj labor on the Sabbath-day. I ask again, how 
much is the Bible believed ? That faith which does not control the 
practice of men, amounts to nothing. Who would dare, if he believed 
in the retributions of CJod, against those who violate his Sabbaths, 
desecrate it as is now almost universally done. I say it is not be- 
lieved. The man who believes it, will not do i^ He will not hope 
to prosper in any such course of conduct. It will curse any man, 
and it will curse his posterity. 

It has been shown already" how necessary are rest and refreshment, 
and the opportunity of cultivating the intellectual and moral nature 
of man. Of eIII these are laboring men now deprived. Yes, they 
are subjected to a sla-very more intol^-able than that at the South; 
for there the slaves are allowed to spend the Sabbath in their own 
way, and to work for themselves, at least. But these men have no 
Sabl:)aths. They are trodden to the earth ; and if they only knew 
their power, they would never submit to their present degradation. 
It is entirely contrary to the doctrine of equal rights— guaranteed to 
all men by our common Constitution and laws. The usages of so- 
ciety wrest from man the rights of the Sabbath which the God of na- 
ture has given him. But this is sanctioned by high examples ; and 
so long as these exist, they will be copied. Just look at the exam- 
ples. I do not now refer to the regulations of the Post-office Depart- 
ment, which comp^d a desecration of the Sabbath : but look at our 
own State laws, which forbid labor on the Sabbath ; and yet, on our 



44 

canals, from one end to the other, men are compelled, by the usages 
of society, to labor on that day, in direct violation of the laws ; and 
no man need apply for the office of lock-tender, or collector, who does 
not expect, on every Sabbath day, to violate the express language of 
the statutes. Look at the influence of this. It not only exerts a de- 
moralizing influence on them, but it sets the example to all men to 
violate the statutes with impunity. One portion of our official digni- 
tarie-', acts direatly in opposition to the interests of all our citizens. 
And why, under these circumstances, should not our canals furnish 
more inmates of the prisons at Auburn and Sing Sing, than all the 
rest of the State ? Is it possible to bring to bear upon the young men 
of the country, a more pernicious influence than this ? 

There is another idea connected with this subject. I hold that no 
individual has any right to sell his labor on the Sabbath. If the Sab- 
bath is necessary to the highest happiness of every individual, ihen 
not only has no man a right to take it away, but no man has more 
right to sell it, than he has to sell his life. We all agree that no men 
has a right to take his own life. Suicide is a henious sin ; and if it 
were possible, it would be punished as murder. I hold that no man 
has a right to sell that which is indispensable to his health and hap- 
piness ; and any man who purchases that right from another, inflicts 
upon him the greatest injury. Let us, for a moment, see the opera- 
tion of this thing. As we have been told to-day, this Sabbath labor 
is perfectly unequal : it violates the first principle of our institutions 
— that of an equality of rights. There is no such thing as equal 
rights, in the present usages of society. Take the line of rail-road 
from this city to Albany. Inquire what is the number of persons 
who travel on that road, on any given Sabbath day ; and then find 
what number of persons are engaged one way and another, in pro- 
viding for them — at public houses, stopping places, ifec. : see how 
many are deprived of the privileges and enjoyments of the Sabbath, 
for their accommodation ; and I'll venture to say, that their number 
is twice as great as that of those who travel on that day. 

[Mr. Starr's time having expired, he was forced to leave the sub- 
ject unfinished.] 

Mr. Shp:pherd, of Bufl?alo, said that the resolution spoke of the 
right to the rest of the Sabbath, as guaranteed, not only to our fel- 
low-men, but to animals. It brought to his mind a fact which oc- 
curred in Vermont, not many years ago. A neighbor of his was en- 
gaged in an iron-foundry — young and ambitious, and determined to 
become rich immediately. In his haste to amass wealth, he kept his 
firos burning, and his teams and his laborers at work Sundays, as on 
other days. His friends remonstrated, and urged him to desist. 
"But," said he, "I can't make iron, unless I keep my fires burning 
all the while." "Well," said they, "at least, let your horses and 
men rest." No, he would not : he wanted to get rich. They re- 
minded him that God might not prosper his business, if he persisted 
in violating his commands. Bat all this did not move him : he kept 
on working seven days, instead of six. This was in the spring; and 
before winter came, his teams were hke the lean kine of Egypt 
— poor, miserable beasts, scarcely able to walk. His men were 



45 

down-cast and omaciatod : all of thorn diseased, and apparently 
near to dcatli. And wiliiin a single year, he was pronounced a hank- 
rupt. 

Mr. S. said that ho might call to rooollcction many other facts, 
showing that the right of animals to the rest of the Sabbath, was ne- 
cessary to thorn ; and that man could not, wi(h impunity, infringe 
upon their rights, any more than ho could sell his own. In this 
State, a few years ago, he fell in with a post-master, at a place 
which I had visited. It was on Saturday ; and he was complaining 
bitterly of some violation of the Sabbath. The next Sunday I spent 
at his house, and found that he also desecrated the Sabbath, by at- 
tending to his post-otfice duties. " How is this ?" said I. " I was 
greatly interested in your remarks about violating the Sabbath ; and 
yet I see that you are violating it yourself." He said that he had 
no other way to get a living ; and for a long while, he had some 
doubts about the matter, and had gone to his pastor about it, who 
had finally advised him to take the office ; and other ministers in 
the place gave him the same advice. And listen to the logic by 
which they convinced him: " If you don't take it," said they, 
*' wicked men will ; and instead of quiet and order at the post-office, 
all will be confusion — the Sabbath will be desecrated." " O," said 
he to me, " if some kind friend had told me then, what you tell me 
now, I should not be here." "Well," said I, ^^ get out of it now." 
" But t can't," said he, " and provide for my family : let me keep 
it till I pay for my farm, and then I will relinquish it." "But," 
said I, " I dare not to sin against God even to secure a subsistence : 
come out now, and repent at once." " I will," said he, "as soon as 
it is possible." " But won't you noz^," I asked him. " I will as soon 
as I can," was his reply. Last winter, I visited that city : I sought 
out my friend, and asked him how it was with his soul. His coun- 
tenance told that it was ill. " How is it in other respects," I asked. 
His farm, about which he had been so solicitous, was gone, and he 
was more than $14,000 insolvent. "Do you remember," said I, 
" what a friend said to you some five years ago ? Will you leave 
the post-office 7iow .?" " How can I," was his answer. 

One other fact, though I do not mean to trespass on your time. 
Some ten years ago, in Ohio, I had under my charge, a post-master, 
about five miles distant ; and about the time when Sabbath mails 
were commenced, I warned him against the temptation by which he 
was soon to be tried ; beseeching him to have nothing to do with 
Sabbath mails. I sat up with him till midnight ; but he thought he 
could not give up the post-office. He yielded ; and kept the office till 
one morning the mail came while he was at family worship. The 
door was open, and the bag was thrown into the room, close by where 
he knelt. He closed his prayer, took up the bag, but his hands trem- 
bled too much for him to open it. He got it to the door, and set it, 
unopened, on the steps, and then thought solemnly about his business. 
That mail came at the wrong moment, and he gave up his office. 

Thus, we see men robbed of their rights — robbed of their health — 
and robbed of their subsistence, by this Sabbath desecration. And 
now, if animals, as well as men, have these rights guaranteed to 



48 

them, it is our duty to secure them their enjoyment. We are called 
upon, by every consideration of patriotism and of rehgion, to do it. 

As to the reasoning by which those ministers induced my friend to 
take office — it would be just as appropriate, if applied to keeping a 
grocery, or committing a murder. If they should say to him, " Now, 
we think you had better take a sharp knife, and murder your neigh- 
bor ; because, if you don't, others may ; and they will not do it half 
as genteelly as you can," he would have just as good a right to 
yield to it, as to the other. 

On my way here, a man engaged in one of the expresses from 
New- York, said he should be glad if the practice of carrying mails on 
the Sabbath, was abolished. But how can we hope for this, said he, 
when professing Christians will take particular pains to mail their 
letters on Saturday evening, to go out on Sunday morning? I was 
ready to answer, Thank God ! I know of one that wouldn't do it — 
but I had nothing to say ; for I felt that, as a general thing, it was 
too true. 

E. Darwin Smith, Esq., of Rochester, said there was one thing in 
the resolution he did not exactly like. Reference was made to the 
necessity of Sabbath rest for laborers. He did not think this quite 
fair ; for it seems to refer to a better class, who are not laborers. 
There was no body, he said, but had to labor, and in his opinion, no 
class of men needed rest more than professional men : he insisted 
that it was indispensable for merchants and lawyers. I do not be- 
lieve, said he, that a majority of them would live out half Iheir days, 
were it not for the rest of the Sabbath. I refer now particularly to 
the labor of the mind — to the relaxation it needs, as well as the bo- 
dy. I hope that some person will revert to this topic. I might do it 
myself, but I do not wish to consume the time of the Convention. I 
hope that something will be done to awaken the public conscience on 
the subject — something upon which established institutions need not 
look with jealousy. We can impress upon the public mind the duty 
of observing the Sabbath, and bring the Christian influence to bear 
upon it. If we undertake to do more, we may defeat the very end at 
which we aim. But we can, at least, seek to arouse public attention 
to the subject ; and if any thing is to be done, it is fit tiiat we should 
approach it at once. I am sure that the subject is one upon which 
all minds are fully made up : it needs no argument — so deep is the 
conviction that every one must feel. 

Hon. J. B. Skinner, of Wyoming, said that he thought his friend 
(Mr. Smith) had mistaken the spirit of the resolution under consider- 
ation. If I rightly understand it, said he, its purpose is to declare 
the rights of those who are unable to speak for themselves — of those 
who are under the control and in the power of others. And the re- 
solution declares the rights, not only of men, but also of laboring an- 
imals. Its purpose is to protect all who are in the power of others, 
and are thus deprived of the power to protect themselves. In this 
country, the rights of men have been a subject of earnest considera- 
tion for years. They have formed the subject of our public declara- 
tions ; and the establishment of popular rights has always been a 
subject of difficult and earnest research. In all the investigations of 



/ 



47 

the subject, the question arises, whence come these rights ? How 
can it be said that any given thing is a matter of right ? When our 
fathers, Mr. President, attom|)ted to establish a government for this 
countiy, tliey sought to embody the first principles of the rights allu- 
ded to in the Declaration of Independence ; and they said that "all 
men arc endowed hy their Creator with certain inalienable rights." 
This is the source of all rights — the will of the Creator. And since 
the suggestion has been made, it seems to me that I can take the 
cause of the stage-horse, and hold up the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, and prove from tliat and the Decalogue, that he, too, has a ri^hi 
to rest upon the Sabbath-day. For the rights spoken of in that De- 
claration, are not so expressly given to men, as is this right given to 
the laboring animal. It is a sacred command of the great Law-giver, 
given in behalf of the laboring beast, to his intelligent master, who is 
capable of understanding it. Now no one ever charged the author 
of the Declaration of Independence with religious enthusiasm or ul- 
traism ; and yet ho said that all rights rest in the will of the great 
Lawgiver ; and there too rests the right of animals to the rest of the 
Sabbath. 

It is said that the laws do not require men to labor on the Sabbath. 
They do not in words ; but do they not virtually ? The feelings of 
men should be respected. The laws of this Slate regard the senti- 
ments of Quakers : why should they not regard those of religious 
men upon this point ? Why should men be excluded from office, if 
they are unwilling to violate the Sabbath ? 

Rev. Dr. Luckey, of Rochester, said the gentleman last up, had 
made the distinction he had risen to make. He conceived that whilo 
rest is as es«?ential to professional men as it is to the laboring classes, 
there is a difference between a voluntary and a constrained breach 
of the Sabbath. Professional men may adjust and arrange their own 
business, so that they can observe the Sabbath, if they choose. The 
resolution looks directly to the question of right. It is therefore the 
grand question in which all are interested. The .sovereignty is with 
the people; and if this people will violate the Sabbath, they are re- 
sponsible. But when men are placed where they are constrained to 
violate the sacred day, there is an apology for them. I respect the 
appeal — I will say, the exhortation — of my friend from Buffalo 
(Judge WiLKESON) to the clergy. I know his zeal, and I am sure 
that if he were in the ministry, transgressors would tremble at his 
rebuke. And I should sincerely approve of it, if he should carry on 
his well tempered zeal in this cause. But if he had been thirty 
years in the ministry, in ditTerent parts of the country, he would have 
found very many tender cases of discipline, if he should attempt to 
carry it out as he proposed. 

Another respected friend has alluded to a case of a merchant of 
influence and a member of the church, placed in circumstances in 
which, in a sort, he was obliged to violate the Sabbatli. I mean obli- 
ged in a limited sense : his circumstances constramed him to it. 
These men may be told, we do not compel you to serve us. No : 
but circumstances constrain them to serve the public ; and if there 
"H'ere no other consideration, that of right should induce the public 



48 

to do away with the whole difficulty, to remove all barriers against 
freely serving the public. The question might be applied to many 
classes of our citizens, to clerks, store- keepers, &c. Suppose mer- 
chants should agree to disrespect the Sabbath. The clerks must at- 
tend to their business on that day, or be dismissed. Now is it not 
right that they should be permitted to enjoy the privilege of freedom 
from labor, the same as other citizens, without the sacrifice of their 
places ? This is properly a question of political right : let the prac- 
tice be tolerated here, and soon we should be in the same condition 
that France is now in, A traveller writes : " To-day we are in such 
a city. By our reckoning, it is on the Sabbath ; but all the shops 
are open, and there is no appearance of the Sabbath." Let the 
practice be tolerated here, and soon it will be so among us. What 
would be the result ? Store-keepers must continue their business, 
and must entrust it to persons who do not regard the Sabbath. Is 
this policy ? This is true, already, in regard to many things, and, I 
am sorry to say, in regard to our public interests. Upon the rail- 
roads and canals, in which the State has an interest, the servants of 
the public must break the Sabbath. The policy tends to exclude all 
faithful men from that service. 

Now there has been much said about transferring the public stocks 
of our state works to private associations. Look at the bearing 
of this question in view of such a measure. Gentlemen of wealth 
are solicited to become stock-holders. Those who thus invest their 
capital, do it with a full foresight, that the power of management is 
invested in the companies, and here they are liable to be involved in 
in the sin of breaking the Sabbath. But they say that we are 
not responsible ; they are members — but they can't control the mat- 
ter. And thus conscientious men are prevented from engaging in 
such enterprises, and the whole country is injured. I take it to be a 
just rule, that a moral and Christian people ought so to arrange the 
government that the best men may fill all public offices, without any 
violation of their consciences I remember somewhere to have read, 
not long since, an anecdote of George the Third, and I shall never 
forget it though I may not, in relating it, be perfectly accurate in its 
details : a veteran, who had been worn out in his service, was recom- 
mended to a place in the domestic department of the king by some 
lord. He took the place, and when the Sabbath came, instead of 
doing the service as the others did, he was found reading his Bible. 
The superintendent went to him and asked why he did not attend to 
his business. He said that he could not work on that day, with a 
clear conscience. He was severely reprimanded — but stuck fast to 
his integrity. The lord, who recommnnded him, was rebuked ; and 
finally, the old man was dismissed. He wiped his eye, as he retired, 
but said he could not disobey God. The tidings came to the king, 
who ordered him to be immediately restored to his place, saying, 
" Let him remain in my service while he lives. He is just the man 
I y/diUi. Who will serve his king better than he who dares not diso- 
bey God ?" This is precisely the principle that should govern us. 

One other thought. If the practice of disregarding the Sabbath 
be not stopped on our public works, when will it end ? If the state 



49 

A 

compels mc to break the Sabbath, it may compel them to do any 
thing else in violation of the right of conscience ; and when the em- 
ployed yield to this spirit so generally, what can the poor conscien- 
tious man do ? Must he be left without employment ? This subject, 
I apprehend, is not sufficiently considered. I am satisfied that if we 
could awaken the community to a sense of its importance, the spirit 
which enforces a violation of the Sabbath, would be resisted with the 
feeling with which involuntary taxation was resisted by our patriot 
father. 

Judge Sampson, of Rochester, said he did not intend to detain the 
Convention long — but he hoped they were ready to continue the ses- 
sion as long as they should find it necessary for the transaction of 
their business. He would answer for the citizens of Rochester, that 
they would entertain them as long as they thought it best to remain. 

Perhaps, said he, the subject of this resolution has been nearly 
exhausted : and yet its spirit is important, and has been so grossly 
misrepresented that its import should be clearly understood. It em- 
braces the official regulations for the official violation of the Sabbath. 
If there is any one subject upon which the American people are 
always ready to insist, it is that of their equal and inalienable rights. 
The violation of these, on the part of the mother country pro- 
duced the war of Independence ; and the sages of the Revolution, 
when they came to settle their rights, and to secure them, were care- 
ful to go to the original source, to place them upon paper, and embody 
them in the Constitution. It was the fear that, after all, the equal 
rights of every citizen were not fully secured by the Constitution, 
which led to the opposition it experienced, and to the reluctance and 
hesitation with which it was at last adopted. New- York was one 
of the last States to yield her assent; and she did not yield till it was 
well understood that certain other provisions should be adduced, more 
precisely to define, protect, and secure their equal rights. I will 
venture to say, that at that period, no man dreamed, that by a simple 
^ost-office regulation, some twenty-six or thirty thousand individu- 
als holding office in the United States, should be required, in violation 
of their consciences, to violate the sacredness of the holy Sabbath, 
or forfeit the right to hold their office. Allusion has been made to 
the petitions that were presented on that subject. The regulation 
of the post-office should be generally understood, in order fully to un- 
understand the merits of these effi^rts. The rule is, that the post-office 
shall be kept open at certain reasonable hours in every day of the 
week — including Sunday of course — besides additional regulations 
for carrying the mails. When the citizens of Western New- York 
petitioned for a repeal of this regulation, and that government would 
do, in relation to the post-office, what the whole country had done 
in their legislatures, to suspend labor on that day, a cry was raised of 
"Union of Church and State" — "The establishment of religion by 
law" — " Treasonable combinations," and such terrific phrases. And 
a grave report was made in the Senate of the United States, trying 
to prove that Congress had no power to establish' religion hy law, or to 
give the preference to one sect of Christians over another. The au- 
thor of that report might just as well have told us that they had ho 
4 



50 

power to take a voyage to the moon ! Was ever seen such absurd 
sophistry ! And yet, the report was regarded as an unanswerable 
document ; and it quieted the minds of many, as it seemed to say 
that petitioners had no right to ask what Congress had no right to 
grant. There you have the whole merits of that subject, in a nut- 
shell. And yet, with all the jealousy which the people entertain of 
any infraction of their inalienable rights, that regulation still remains 
in force. Indications that it may be repealed, have been made to 
some extent ; and if an expression go forth from the right quarter, it 
may be accomplished ; though it may not be proper for the Conven- 
tion to take any action on the subject. 

This feeling of jealousy against violations of equal rights, has been 
an increasing spirit. It is extending even to those who are unhap- 
pily held in African bondage. It is the same feeling which creates 
ihe serious difficulty in the way of adjusting the subject of a tarifi^— 
not because people do not believe it would conduce to the general 
welfare ; but from a fear lest it might operate more to the advantage 
of one section of the country, than another. Hence arise the objec- 
tions so frequently made to all monopolies. Is it not, then, worth 
while to consider whether it is right thus to force thirty thousand in- 
dividuals to violate the dictates of their consciences T I do not admit 
that any conscientious Christian can hesitate for one moment : he 
cannot do it, however humble he may be. He had better trust to 
Providence, and wash his hands of all such injustice. But when we 
talk of equal rights, it becomes another question. 

There is another topic to which I would refer, in connexion with 
the observance of the Sabbath. It may be somewhat remote from the 
resolution: but it has a bearing upon the general subject. I mean 
the commission of crime. Every one, in this respect, has an inter- 
est in preventing the desecration of the Sabbath. Who ever heard' 
of a conscientious Sabbath-keeper being arraigned in our courts of 
justice, for the commission of crime ? I have had considerable ex- 
perience there ; and, as the result of that experience, I can say that 
almost invariably has the commission of crime been connected with 
the violation of the Sabbath. An opportunity is furnished on that 
day, when worldly business is suspended, for violators of its house to 
congregate and contrive their wicked schemes. At the last term of 
the criminal court of this city, I recollect, two small boys were 
brought up, charged with burglary committed on the Lord's day. 
They were both scholars in the Sabbath-fchool, and came directly 
from the school — contrived their plan of breaking open a house, and 
stealing the money — did so, and divided it. They were members of 
the Sabbath-school, but they had no Sabbath at home. They were 
only permitted to go, by their parents, who took no interest in the 
school, and cared not where their children were. One was sent to 
the House of Refuge, and the other escaped, more from a feeling of 
compa<5sion on the part of the jury, by reason of his extreme youth, 
than by any doubt of his guilt. I might easily specify many similar 
instances ; but I will consume no more of your time. 

Capt. Sullivan said he was highly gratified at the popular char- 
acter of this Convention. I rejoice, said he, that at length all men 



recognize the right of the poor man to the Sabbath, to be a constitu- 
tional element of all operations designed to do him good ; and in ri- 
sing to speak upon the subject, I would say that I represent fifteen 
thousand men — not old men — not middle-aged men — but young men. 
Nor is it fifteen tiiousand alone, but hundreds of thousands who are 
turning their eyes in the direction of this Convention, in the expecta- 
tion that it v.-ili be of benefit to them. Nor in recognizing this right 
of all men to the Sabbath, have the Convention done all that is re- 
quired. Should it break up, then, and its members go home, we 
should not satisfy those who sent us here. We could only tell them 
that we went, and became satisfied that the subject was one of in- 
creasing importance ; but that we had done nothing to remedy the 
evil. We are now aiming at practical results. The public mind is 
expecting something definite from this assembly. And I hope I do 
not narrow down the field of action to a small point, when I take the 
watermen of these United States, and suppose that it is in their be- 
half that this Convention is assembled to act. 

Now, to do good to any class of men, it is important to know how 
they stand, and what their wishes are, in relation to the Sabbath. I 
heard my friend from Cleveland mention interesting facts, touching 
their condition, feelings, &c. I have travelled on Lake Ontario, and 
up and down the Welland canal, as an agent for the Bethel Society. 
I have preached in the open air to multitudes of sailors and boatmen 
— holding conversations with them in every situation in life ; and I 
trust I shall not seem vain or egotii-tical, if I permit myself to believe 
that I know something of their true condition. I have been myself a 
sailor. I have been deprived myself of the Sabbath, for sixteen years 
of my life ; and I attribute much of my present feebleness, both of 
mind and of body, to the fact that the Sabbath was wrested from me 
during that time. If, then, I seem to speak with feeling on this sub- 
ject, I trust it will not appear strange to you. And, Sir, I find the 
feelings of those now engaged in the business, identical with my own. 
I find that the boatmen — those on the canal and on the lakes — all 
feel alike on this subject : they feel that the Sabbath is the blessing 
of all blessings. Men differ somewhat in the way of securing its be- 
nefits ; and we must keep it before the mind, and see it as a practi- 
cal matter ; and it is with a view of speaking upon this, that I have 
arisen. 

Above two and a half years ago, while in Buffalo, my feelings be- 
ing then Rs now in relation to the right to the Sabbath, I sought to 
make them known to others, and got up a meeting in the Bethel 
Church. I was familiar with all the facts touching the physiologi- 
cal view of the Sabbath, and had seen the testimony taken before 
the British House of Commons, and had gathered elsewhere various 
interesting facts bearing upon this point. I hope it will be received, 
as I intend to offer it, as a plain statement of facts, without deduction, 
that when the suggestion was made that such a movement should be 
started, I felt an awful foreboding that it would not do to talk in a 
plain way, and to put ideas in their heads incompatible with 
the interests of the merchants. I talked to them, brought up facts as 

est could, showing the advantages of the Sabbath, not only in a 



52 

spiritual, but in a moral, social, and physical point of view. They 
were thunder-struck. I ventured to say, " jNow, shipmates, these 
things are not only true, but also the opinions of others. Mark ye : 
it is said by business men in Buffalo and Cleveland, that you are too 
degraded to improve by the Sabbath ; that you can't appreciate the 
Sabbath. They send missionaries to the heathen; and I wish you 
to understand that they thus think them vastly superior to you." 
The meeting was over, and they rallied around me, and looked, like 
men, right in my face, and asked, " Is that true — all that you have 
said ?" " It is true ; I know it." They saw that I was one of them, 
and they were satisfied of its truth. "Captain," said one, "we 
shall think of this matter ; but what can we do ? we are very ignor- 
ant." That is the trouble ; they are ignorant, and they want to 
know the facts of the case ; and it is our business to give them those 
facts. The other day, I was at Port Dalhousie, preaching to the sai- 
lors there ; and after I had directed their attention to the subject of 
religion and temperance, I held a conversation with a number of 
them upon the desecration of the Sabbath. Sir, I am afraid this 
Convention may do harm, rather than good. I feel as if standing a- 
mong the crowd of Israelites, on the banks of theEed Sea, when Mo- 
ses told them to stand still and see the salvation of God. We have 
been like a mill-wheel under full head-way, when the band has:at 
length snapped ; and the whol^ movement it now possesses, is in con- 
sequence of the momentum it had acquired. .God Almig^hty has 
come down, and has laid his finger upon the business of the country, 
and men have been brought up standing. A few days ago,we couldn't 
get men to think on the subject of the violation of the Sabbath ; but 
they are calmed down now. It has now become a matter of pecun- 
iary consideration. Business is diminished; and the question comes 
up — May it not be true that there is a blessing connected with keep- 
ing the Sabbath holy ? and may it not be seen in my affairs, as well 
as those of others ? They have now got time to reflect on this sub- 
ject. They have but little to do, with regard to mercantile concerns. 
Now, give sailors the facts, and they will take care of themselves. 
They have got minds. Men on these waters, possess as good minds 
as any other class of men thrown together in the various circumstan- 
ces of life. They have the ability to discern truth, when -the facts 
are put before them. Our hope, under God. is in seeking to arrest 
the tide of Sabbath-breaking in the land, by bringing facts to bear upon 
this class. I was upon this canal last Sabbath ; the captain said he 
had come to the conclusion not to violate the /Sabbath ; and, as he 
was going up, there were three American vessels astern. It was a 
drizzling, rainy morning ; .and the captains of these vessels were mak- 
ing arrangements for going on. They -called out to the captain, to 
know why he did not go ahead. He said his vessel would be laid 
up for that day. They then consulted together, and finally conclud- 
ed, " Well, perhaps, it is about as well ; and, on the whole, we'll 
lay by too." 

Now, whatever may be done by this Convention, one thing, above 
all others, should be attended to. The facts of the case should be 
collected, and tracts should be published on the subject ; and then 



53 

scattered, like leave?, over the whole country. The sailor then will 
get them, and will soon become familiar with all the facts they con- 
tain. 

The resolution was then put, and unanimously adopted. 

Mr. HicKOK, of Buffalo, moved to appoint a committee of thirteen, 
to which he wished to refer a' resolution contemplating a plan for etli- 
cient actiort. 

Dr. Edwards, from the Business Committee, said that a resolution 
had already been introduced, and would soon come up for considera- 
tion, which would state definitely the views of the committee, with 
regard to definite action. 

Mr. HicKOK complained that there was no chance of presenting to 
the committee the claims and feelings of the people of Buffalo, as 
they were not represented in the committee. 

Judge Sampson said that he hoped the resolution of Mr. Hickok 
would be referred to the Business Committee ; and moved to amend 
the motion, by substituting the addition of two members to that com- 
mittee. 

Judge WiLKESON hoped the course would not be deemed necessa- 
ry. He was sure no reflection upon the committee was intended by 
Mr. Hickok. He' urged the bringing up for discussion the resolution 
that suggests the plan for definite action — as it was impossible, ac- 
cordmg to present appearances, to tell how long the session of the 
Convention might be protracted. 

The amendment of Judge Sabipson was accepted by Mr. Hickok, 
whose motion j as amended, was passed. 

The President appointed Mr. Hickok and Judge Wilkeson, as the 
additional members of the Business Committee. 

The tenth resolution was then read, as follows: 

10 i- Resolved, That as the violation of the Sabbath tends powerful- 
ly to 'the commission of crimes, those who are guilty of it, are not 
only doing: great injury to- themselves and their families, but are 
cofnmitting^great injustice to the community. 

On taking the question, the resolution was adopted unanimously. 

The eleventh resolution was then read : 

11. Resahed, That as the observance of the Sabbath is essential 
to all the great interests of mankind, it is the duty of all, not only to 
observe it themselves, but to exert their influence, that it may be ob- 
served by all others. 

This resolution was unanimously adopted. 
The twelfth resolution was then read : 

12. Resolved, That as the observance of the Sabbath is essential to 
all the great interests of men, we hereby agree that we will endeavor, 
byrxample and influence, to persuade all persons to abstain from 
worldly business or amusements, and observe the appropriate duties 
of that day. 

Rev. Dr. Edwards said that this resolution laid down a general 
principle: the next advanced a step farther, towards a definite 
plan. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Lockport, wished to offer a few remarks on 
this resolution, before the question was finally taken on its passage. 



54 

I i'dgard it, said he, as one of great importance, in its relation to the 
discussions of this Convention. I regard it, Sir, to use language 
•which some of us who are in the habit of sermonizing, will under- 
stand as the body of the discourse, while the one which follows it, is 
the practical inference. This determines what we will do ourselves : 
the other, what we would advise others to do. And, I would ask, if 
we ought not to understand the course we are to pursue, before we 
advance any further ? My only objection to this resolution, is, that it 
is not definite enough in its character. We agree to do all in our 
power to promote Sabbath-keeping ; but we find that it is left entire- 
ly to ourselves to determine what that means ; and I feel, for my 
own part, that if we pass the resolution in its present form, we shall 
have to appoint a committee of thirteen to write a commentary upon 
it, to show us what is to be its practical operation. I pre^sume that 
the resolution refers to the boats on our canal and on our lakes, and 
to other matters of this kind. But I feel that we ought to put our 
fmger on them, by name, so that all men may know what we mean. 
There are individuals in Lockport, who will tell you that they will 
do all they can, to support the Sabbath — that they think it an excel- 
lent institution ; and yet these men will keep their ware-houses open 
on the Sabbath. It is just like throwing away all creeds, and say- 
ing that we will rely wholly on the Bible. On that ground, Presby- 
terians and Methodists, and all sects might agree ; provided, we could 
only agree as to what the Bible teaches. I want to go to individuals 
in Lockport, who keep their ware-houses open, and still come to 
church, and say that they will do all they can to keep the Sabbath, 
and tell them that, in the opinion of this respectable Convention, 
keeping their ware-houses open on the Sabbath, is Sabbath-breaking. 
I wish them perfectly to understand the matter. All this, to be sure, 
may be explained in debate, and, perhaps, it may go to the world in 
print. It may, or it may not ; but it is not in the resolution. That 
is perfectly general in its form : it lacks defmiteness — particularity. 
I hope that this matter will be fully drawn out. I want to put our 
hand on sins in common practice, and tell the community at large, 
that we will not travel, if we can prevent it, in Sabbath-breaking 
stages, or rail-roads, or canal-boats ; nor will we forward our goods 
by such conveyances. In all reforms, there must be three classes of 
men to operate upon — Christians, patriots, and selfish men. The 
first two, will be addressed by general argument. But, before sel- 
fish men, it is of no use to array such considerations. As well might 
the old man in the spelling-book, have hoped to bring down the boys 
from his apple-tree, by pelting them with grass. We must appeal 
to their selfishness — we must tell them that we will bring selfish in- 
terests to bear against them. I hope this resolution will not pass in 
its present form, because members are in a hurry to get home. I do 
not feel so. 1 want more specific resolutions ; and I hope the matter 
will be looked in the face ; and, if something more specific can be 
had, t hope the Convention will have it. 

Dr. Edv^tards agreed to the importance of specification. The only 
point of difference seemed to be, as to the proper place where it would 
t,"? most useful to introduce it. If, said he, you are acting only for 



55 

the welfare of canals or rail-roatls, perhaps this place may be perti- 
nent for specification ; but I tliink tlie Convention want some pivot 
on which they may rest the Sahhath strength of tiic nati'.n — a great 
portion of which have got no canals nor rail-roads : and if you intend 
to make a specification at this precise point, you cannot embody this 
national strength on any other. You may appeal to one body of men 
after another, but we wish this as a central point f^r them all. But 
I think that while we can accomplish all local objects, by proper 
specifications in the right place, we can also accomplish another ob- 
ject by tfiis resolution. God looks at these things, not as man does. 
Four young men once went to a place, to ask wiiat they could do, 
witli reference to a certain specified duty — one purely local in its 
influence. They looked no farther than this : but the Lord looked 
farther, and raised, from this humble beginning, the American Board 
of Education. He looked over the whole globe; while their view 
was bounded by their single local interest. They thought of nothing 
farther; but the Lord did : and this simple thing was instrumental 
in creating the Education Society, which now reaches over the 
■whole country. And I look upon it as a striking fact, while here 
upon this spot, which was blessed early by the efforts of men of eagle- 
eye and of far-reaching vision, as if they saw around the world : this 
is a great spot, and you should labor to make it greater. Is not this 
the spot where was "first struck out the idea of giving to every family 
in the nation a Bible ? and was it not caught from here, and circu- 
lated throughout the whole country ? You thought here, at first, that 
you would have a -city convention, to help the people on the canal in 
observing and enjoying the Sabbath. That was very good ; but 
some of you suspected that the city was not the whole county, and 
so you thought of calling a county convention. Well, soon it ap- 
peared that the county was not the whole Empire State, and so you 
thought of holding a State convention. Finally, it struck you that 
the Empire State, great as it is, was not the whole world, and so you 
determined to invite whoever would come. Now, cannot the mem- 
bers of this Convention — looking beyond the interests of their own 
towns, or villages, or counties, and even States — throw out a pivot 
on which may hinge the Sabbaili interests of the world, and revolve 
in delightful harmony ? It seems to me that they can ; and if not — 
if we must have specification, why not pass this resolution for those 
States which have no canals or rail-roads, and then make the speci- 
fications under another resolution ? 

Judge Sampson said that we had referred this whole business to a 
committee in whom we had entire confidence. And now, said he, 
shall we break in upon the plan that committee has marked out, o^ 
shall we go through with the business in their own way ; and then if 
we want more than they have prepared, supply it for ourselves, as 
may easily be done ? 

After some little conversation among the different members, the 
Convention adjourned for an hour and a half. 



56 

2 o'clock, p. m. 

The Convei^tion again assembled, and proceeded with the discussion 
of the twelfth Vesolution. 

Dr. Edv/ai^ds said that the Business Committee could perceive no- 
necessity, and nothing to be gained, by dividing in opinion upon this 
resolution. The object of all might be reached, by passing this res- 
olution, and then proposing others more specific, if it should be ■ 
thought best. There would be unavoidable dilBculties in agreeing 
upon forms of specification, but the comrnittee had endeavored to ob- 
viate them, as much as possible, in the resolutions they had framed. 
If more precise and definite action must be had, let local associations 
be formed. Begin at Rochester, and extend it from town to town, 
until the whole country, and, if you please, the whole State, are em- 
braced. Then adapt your resolutions to the local necessities of the' 
different places ; and in this way, the views of all may be successful^ 
ly met. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Lockport, wished to add a few words^ to what 
he had said in the morning ; for he considered this as the most impor- 
tant resolution that had yet been offered. And here, said he, I want 
to say that I know, as well as any body can tell me, that I am com- 
paratively a young man : I know it perfectly well. I do not pro- 
fess to be as far-reaching as m-any others ; nor do 1 profess to^take 
as comprehensive views of subjects that may come up, as some other 
men. But I hope I have got a heart ; and I hope, too, thatit is not con- 
fined to Rochester, or to Lockport, or to Western New- York, in its 
feelings and desires ; but that it takes in the whole world. Iwish for 
something more distinctly applicable to the violation of th^- Sabbath 
on canals and in ware-houses, than this resolution contain^-; and are 
all the canals in Rochester, or in Lockport ? Are all rail-roads in^ 
Western New- York ? Why, Sir, they cut the country in every di- 
rection — are spread over every State — they go through every part 
of the Union ; and unless I am greatly mistaken, there is a rail-road 
passing through Andover itself. And these resolutions are to take-' 
effect in Massachusetts, and every State in the Union, and will reaeli 
across the Atlantic ; for Europe, too, has canals, and rail-roads, and 
ware-houses ; and the Sabbath is violated there, too, as well as here. 
And instead of having a resolution with which every one may fall 
in — with the sentiments of which every individual may exactly a- 
gree, I have thought that some thing more definite should be drawn 
up and presented for action. I have hoped that we should have had 
some thing precise, which could not be mistaken in its meaning. I 
have sat and listened with great pleasure and delight, to the general 
resolutions that have been introduced, and to the excellent remarks 
made upon them, because I supposed we should come to the snappers 
by-and-by — that all that had gone before, was merely the lash de- 
pending from the stalk. But now, the whole plan is revealed from 
beginning to end, and we are to have nothing at all but a string of 
resolutions, without laying our finger on any thing definite in the 
whole matter. Why not ? Because, we ought to have local associ- 
ations in various parts of the country, to take the local matters up ! 
But, I ask if local associations will have power to affect public senti- 



57 

ment, as this one will ? If we get up resolutions that every body may 
adopt, we shall efTect nothing at all, but leave every thing to be done 
by these local bodies. Now, licie is the place to be definite and spe- 
cific : unless we do this, we shall lose the great object for which we 
have come together. But we arc told the rule of the house forbids 
our going into this matter, from the fact that the resolu-tion is to be 
acted upon as reported by the committee. B^it I did not suppose 
that we were to take, of necessity, every thing just as the committee 
saw tit to report it, whether we like it or not* We surely have a 
right to amend, or re-commit, or do whatever the Convention see fit, 
with any resolution. And — -I speak for myself only — -I hope that the 
course adopted, will be just to re-commit this matter to the commit- 
tee, for the purpose of getting at something more definite, but gen- 
eral, to be sure, in its application. I do not want the local sins of 
Lbckport or Western New- York, to be brought up here, but I want 
to reach all in the land. If there is any man who violates the Sab- 
bath by keeping a ware-house open on that day, I want the views 
and feelings of this Convention expressed, so that they shall reach 
him. These men are not in any one or two places : they are all over 
the land — sincerely believing, at the same timcj-that th«y do all they 
can to promote the observance of this Sabbath* 

Now, much as I admire the standing talents of the gentlemen on 
that committee, I must beg leave to dissent as to the generality of 
the resolution; and I rise to move that the resolution may be re- 
commiitcdf in order to an alteration in this respect, if the committee 
shall see fit. 

Judge WtLKESON sarid that these were exactly the views he had 
expressed in' the morning. He hoped they would be taken into con- 
sideration in perfect harmony ; and he was willing thus to submit 
the subject. 

P.ev. l\it. WisxER, of Ithaca, seconded the motion for recommit- 
ment ; and he wishted to give a iew reasons for doing so. He wished 
the resolution to go back to the same committee,' because he had 
perfect confidence in the wisdom of the Committee, and in their abil- 
ity to meet the views of the Convention. I am in favor of recom- 
mitment, because I am dissatisfied with the resolutions as they are. 
They have appeared to me from the beginning (and in this I liave 
sympathised with the remarks of Judge Wilkeson) too general. I 
fully believe that if we just pass this resolution as it is proposed, we 
can go to-morrow to every respectable Sabbath-breaker in the land, 
and get him to subscribe to the seniiments therein contained. Why, 
will not every Sabbath-breaker who believes that the Sabbath is a 
divine institution, tell you that he means to use all his example and 
influence to prevent Sabbath-breaking ? Certainly, he will tell you 
he v/ill most assuredly do that ; but then this thing in which he is 
engaged, is not Sabbath-breaking ; and that thing is not Sabbath- 
breaking. " What 7 do is not Sabbath-breaking; but only what 
somebody else is doing." Now if I have any correct view of the 
subject of this Convention, its object is to show the people what, in the 
opinion of this body, is Sabbath-breaking; and thus to exert an in- 
fluence against it. Now if we are to pass all these resolutions out 



5B 

of respect to the Committee, we shall have left oft' just where we be- 
gun. We shall have passed a set of truisms which every body be- 
lieves, and which every body knew before we came here. They are 
all excellent, and it is well to say that they are our opinions ; but 
after all, we have not advanced one step. And it will become easy, 
after we get through here, to go to work again, and to say what we 
will do to prevent Sabbath-breakiwg. And in order to say any thing 
about it, we shall find it necessary first to determine what is Sab- 
bath-breaking. Now one will say : " I go to church every Sabbath, 
and hear preaching; but ray horses and hands are at work on the 
canal." Another says : " I own stock, and one-seventh part of the 
profit is earned on the Sabbath, and is obtained by robbing God." 
Still, they aver that is aot Sabbath-breaking. We want something 
now to reach just such cases as these. Dear to my heart as is the 
object brother Edwards proposes to attain — some general expression 
of uaiversal application — I desire so-mething particular also. The 
idea of affecting the world and not affecting the individuals in it, is 
visionary, because the world is made up of individuals. Now these 
individuals cannot be affected, unless our preaching is adapted to 
their consciences. Many of us, by experience, know that people are 
not apt to apply unwelcome truths to themselves. I remember once 
preaching against Universalism, and there happened to be one in the 
house. Some one asked him if it hit him. No, he said ; but it fell 
thick as spatter all around him. That is the general feeling. It 
always falls thick as spatter all around ; but it never Mis any body 
ill particular. 

Now we must take a position here, and proclaim our sentiments, 
if we would do any thing to eftect the great object. What would 
have become of the Temperance Reform, if, at the great Temperance 
Conventions, they had passed resolutions that drunkenness was a 
great evil! — a sad evil! — and had discussed it till they brought tears 
into the eyes of the whole assembly. They might have resolved that 
drunkenness was a great evil, in a civil, social, and religious point 
of view; and they might have spent whole days in discussing the 
evils of drunkenness ; ^nd they might have resolved, one and all, 
that in view of the great evils of drunkenness, they would do all in 
their power, by influence and example, to stop it. They might have 
done all this, and this resolution might have been in every body's 
mouth ; and the drunkard would have laughed in your face, and rol- 
led on in his desolation ; and the sin might have gone on to people 
the bottomless pit, as on the day it first begun. They found out that 
a general pledge of this kind, would not answer ; so they took the 
bull by the horns, and resolved neither to touch, taste, nor handle the 
unclean thing. If they had said they wanted to make the operation 
of the reform, general — to extend it through the world, and not to 
narrow it down to the distillery and whiskey-shop, for these were 
local affairs — what would have become of the cause ? Why, now 
this reform, which seems to cover the world with its cloud of glory, 
began in these local movements; and spread one circle without an- 
other, till it embraced the whole State, the whole nation, and fmally 
all England and the continent of Europe, like the circles in a pool, 
made by a little pebble. 



59 

I am not going to say, in this place, precisely what is the hest lan- 
guage in whicli these sentiments shoukl be expressed ; but I believe 
that the committee (from the entire confidence that I feel in their pow- 
ers and the correctness of their views) can concoct something which 
shall reach specific cases, better than this resolution. I trust that it 
will not be merely a general denunciation of Sabbath-breaking ; but 
let it tell us where it is to be found. Let it uncover the monster and 
drag him to light, so that every man who owns stock in Sabbath- 
breaking rail-roads and canal-boats, can have something to reach his 
case and liis conscience, whether he will or not ; so that he shall not 
be left, after all, to discover for himself what we mean by Sabbath- 
breaking. My own view of the matter, is like that conveyed in an 
anecdote of a sermon where I once preached. I was told that some 
one had preached there before me ; and after he got through it was 
said he made his hearers a great deal of trouble. Some said he 
preached the doctrine of election, and others said he did not. *• Well," 
said I, "when I preach, I can assure you of one thing — you will have 
no difficulty at all, to tell what I did preach." Now I want that no 
one should have the least difficulty in determining what this Conven- 
tion understand by Sabbath-breaking. 

Judge WiLKESoN said that he had hoped the resolution would pass 
without discussion ; but he had seen nothing to change but much to 
confirm the opinion he had expressed in the morning, that we need 
something more definite. The question will continually recur — what 
did this Convention of reverend and respectable men come here for ? 
Why did this congregated wisdom and experience assemble ? Must it 
be only to give some very seasonable advice, just such as every tody 
might be expected to give ? It was to try in the discussion of the 
subject if they could not devise some plan, to arrest the desecration of 
the Sabbath. No other answer could be desired ; but is it best then 
to adopt resolutions which would be just as appropriate at any other 
meeting ? This resolution would certainly not be out of place at 
a Tract Society, or an Education Meeting, or any other Society, that 
sought to make man happy. Now it is only as to the time that we 
disagree. The gentlemen who presented this resolution, have sub- 
jected themselves to no censure. It is rather marvellous that, meeting 
as we do, there has been no greater diffisrence of opinion than has 
been manifested. Now one cause of difficulty arises, for believing, on 
the one hand, that the object, the prevention of Sabbath desecration, 
can be best attained by local action. Now, what is there to take 
this out of all other cases ? Why should it be an exception to all 
others ? In other matters we begin with primary assemblies, and 
bring the matter thus up to National Conventions. But why should 
we get together in large conventions as now, and then send the mat- 
ter back to local assemblies ? 

Another difficulty arises from supposing that we have different in- 
terests here. Here is one person from a section of canals, and there 
IS another from a quarter where there are none. Now this is a great 
misapprehension. There are five States East of New- York, and six 
or seven West, which have precisely the same interest in this ques- 
tion, with ourselves. The great line of communication between the 



60 

East and the West, is to the great region between the West of the 
Missouri, and the Eastern United States, what the channel of the 
Mississippi is to places East of the Rocky Mountains. The Eastern 
part of the United States is sending its population Westward every 
year, to establish her institutions there: and it strikes those who thus 
go through our State, as every traveller judges from what they see 
on the canal, that the great State of New- York has no Sabbath. A 
Sabbath-going people, setting out for the West, find that New- York, 
so eminent for wealth and elevation of mindj'has no Sabbath ! All 
is busy-— boats are plying — ware-houses are open — and the various 
cars on the rail-roads are in motion. What effect is thus produced - 
upon these minds ? Like the Mississippi, when the Missouri pours 
into its bosom its muddy stream, it partakes of its turbid. character, and 
never loses it till it is merged in the gulf of Mexico. Is not -a remedy 
for this great evil, almost a national undertaking, reaching as it does 
over such an extent of country ? Now if we can get at the question, 
let us do it, and' press the resolution now. ■ I was prepared to offer 
something definite ; but I am not at all tenacions of my own opinion. 
But I should like to have an expression from this Convention, to know 
whether they will choose to speak of particular things, and bring 
their influence to bear against- particular branches of Sabbath break- 
ing. Let the world see that all the subjects presented as great.evils, 
are great evils.^ But I am not^at all tenacious of this.- But let the ex- 
pression of the Cdnvention be taken, so that'some course of action may 
be adopted. 

E. D. Smith, -Esq., hoped the resolution would be'passed. No one 
found any fault with it ; and it seemed, in every respect, proper. He 
thought it well to go on with the subject. A mere motion to recommit, 
^vithout instructions, would amount to nothing at all. 

Rev. Mr. Powell, of Cincinnati, said that he wished to state a few^ 
facts, which might perhaps have a bearingonthis resolution, although-- 
he designed to have stated them in another connexion. Most of the*- 
assembly, he said, were probably a ware that all the transportation/-^ 
lines on the Pennsylvania canals, had agreed to stop running on the 
Sabbath ; and seven out of eight of the ^boats on that line now do stop. 
A brief view of th^ way in which this was brought about, may throw 
light on the best method of accomplishing the object we propose. 

The Philadelphia Sabbath Association, composed principally of 
mcTcantile men, originated in October last. I went to Philadelphia 
an entire stranger, and introduced the matter to merchants of long 
standing and influence, who decidedly took a leading part in this en- 
terprise. They drew up a memorial, of which the following is a 
copy : 

"The undersigned, interested in the Western trade of Philadelphia, 
hereby express their opinion that the transportation of merchandize by 
ca.nals and rail-roads, on the Sabbath, is unauthorised by any ne- 
cessity, and much to be lamented as a violation of the law of God ; 
and its discontinuance is recommended to the proprietors of the trans* 
pprtation lines." 



61 

The people interested in the trade of Philadelphia, joined in ; and 
the business men took the subject in hand, and went to the boat pro- 
prietors, as men of feeling, and judgment, and conscience — expressing 
respectfully their views ; and they succeeded. The fact, as men- 
tioned, seems small in itself; but there is more in it than at first 
meets the view. In some places, they inserted: "and we hereby 
pledge ourselves to give our preference to those boats which do not 
labor on the Sabbath." On my second visit to Philadelphia, I took 
occasion to say to a brother who had taken an active part in the mat- 
ter, that we had chosen to adopt stronger mep.sures than he had. He 
^aid that the stronger they appeared to be, .the weaker they were in 
reality. "If you utter any threat," said he, " you at once awaken 
opposition." Now I believe — having resided for some six years in 
' Western New- York, that if the mercantiladr-en will take hold of it, 
they have it in theic power to accomplish the object in a very short 
time, if they only go- to work in a proper manner. If they go to those 
they would influence, as men of feeling and conscience, and let the 
business men of Rochester and Buffalo take hold of the subject, the 
running of boats on the Sabbath, will cease An a short time. The 
influence of stopping the boats on this greatps-thway of national com- 
merce, will be immense. If it succeed here, it will be at once agreed 
that it will succeed in any part of the United States and of the world. 

In view of the fearful denunciations of the Bible against Sabbath 
. desecration — the wrong that is manifestly inflicted on the laborer that 
is required to toil on that day — and the numerous other evils, civil, 
social, and religious, in which this system involves individuals and 
nations, I cannot but regard the holding of stock in companies that 
use it on the Sabbath, where that stock is taken or retained for pecu- 
niary considerations^ as a violation of the law of God. 

Nor can I suppose any case in which my own conscience would 
be clear in retaining stock in companies for any reason, unless I gave 
my solemn protest against its being employed on the Sabbath, accom- 
panied with a disclaimer of all participation in the profits, so long as 
the stock was employed on the Sabbath. 

But my objections to the passage of the resolution, are : 

1. It is hastily drawn up ; and there is not time after that point 
V came before the committee or the Convention, to prepare a resolution 

with that care tlmt the nature of the subject demanded. 

2. It is evident, to my mind at least, that some members of the 
I, Convention are not prepared to carry out that resolution fully. It is 
, much better to. do more than we resolve, than resolve more than we 
• do. 

3. The resolution is calculated to give a wrong direction to the action 
of that body, and to the future action of the individuals who composed 
it. Every reflecting mind is convinced that Sabbath-labor is wrong 
— that it enslaves both body and mind — and that it is eminently un- 
profitable. Only give the right direction to the current of public 
sentiment, and it will be but a very short time before boats and rail- 
road cars will cease to run on the Sabbath. 

Let us not then spend our efforts in determining the question, wheth- 
er a few conscientious men shall withdraw their capital from our rail- 



62 

roads, et ceteras ; but improve this favorable tide in public opinion, to 
secure a general cessation of Sabbath-labor on our great internal 
thoroughfares. 

The President suggested that the discussion was taking too wide a 
latitude for a question of recommitment. The only subject of discus- 
sion was, whether the particulars designated should be presented in 
a separate resolution, or embodied in this general one. The sole dif- 
ference was as to this one point — whether it were better to present it 
in this resolution, or in a separate one. 

Rev. Mr. Stowe, of East-Bloomfield, said that, in the few remarks 
he should make, he should confine himself to the reasons why the 
question should be recommitted ; although he understood that no in- 
structions were to be given to the Committee. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Lockport, said that he moved a recommit- 
ment, that the resolution might be made more specific. 

Mr. Stowe said that, if he understood the resolutions, they embodied 
the general pledge by which the conductof the friends of the Sabbath 
were to be regulated. They apply, not merely to us in Rochester 
or in the State of New-York, but they embody the substance of the 
pledge presented to every Christian in the habitable globe. The ob- 
ject of the Convention, he understood to be, to move the world ; and 1 
rise, said he, to sustain the motion. We are placed in tlie situation 
of the great men who framed the Declaration of Independence. We 
are now acting for the world — are embodying principles for all Chris- 
tendom. Now what would the Declaration of Independence have 
availed, if it had confined itself to generalities — if it had said, we are 
in favor of liberty, without saying how far they would go to sustain or 
secure their rights ? It is the very definiteness of those articles which 
gives them consequence in the eyes of the world. Suppose the Tem- 
perance Pledge had been merely a general pledge to oppose all drunk- 
enness : should we have seen the reform of the last two years? Now 
if we adopt this resolution — which is so perfectly general that every 
man, the post-master and mail-agent, may adopt it — what is to be the 
effect of this combination ? And yet, this allows the darkest element 
of Sabbath-breaking to remain. It allows every man to run his stage 
or open his office on the Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. Howard said the discussion had already taken so wide a 
range, that he knew not where it could be well arrested. He said he 
was opposed to the threatening attitude proposed to be assumed bv 
members of the Convention ; as he feared it would be productive of 
injury rather than good. He hoped the motion to recommit, would 
not pass ; but that the resolution would be adopted, and then some- 
thing more specific added, if desirable. This was a pledge which all 
could take. 

Dr. LucKEY said he wished to inquire of the Business Committee, 
whether they intended to report the more specific resolution which had 
been referred to them. 

Rev. Mr. Stillman said it had not yet been reached. 
Dr. Luckey must decline voting until something could be known as 
to this point. He said that there could be no difficulty in passing this 
resolution, and then introducing another, if the committee did not see 



63 

fit to report one. lie would, hini.sclf, move to suspend the rules, to 
enable any one who wished to oiler such a resolution. It seemed to 
him that there could be no objection to passing the resolution. 

Rev. Mr. Wisxer asked leave to withdraw the motion to recommit. 
Leave wasrjranted, and the motion was withdrawn. 

The question then recurred on the resolution. 

Rev. Mr. Stillman said that during the progress of the present 
discussion, he had been doubting whether we lived in the year 1842. 
Had I supposed that this Convention was called for the express pur* 
pose of determining what Sabbath desecration is, I could have em- 
ployed my time better than in attending upon its deliberations. 

The Circular which has invited us together, has appended to it the 
signatures of a large number of men embarked in business which re« 
quires them, either directly or indirectly, to violate the fourth com- 
mandment. They are forwarding merchants — owners of boats,ware* 
houses, and rail-road stock — stage and rail-road agents — and the post- 
master of this city. What did they desire us to do ? To decide 
whether Sabbath-breaking is sinful ? No : they understand that per- 
fectly well. To express an opinion that the various forms of busi- 
ness in which they are engaged, is Sabbath-breakingT By no means; 
for it is a decided conviction of this, that gave rise to the call. In 
attempting a personal and social reform, they find themselves involv- 
ed in a difficulty, which results from two causes : a want of concen« 
trated action, and also a want of public conscience ; and they call- 
ed on the friends of the Sabbath, to convene in this city on the 20th 
day of July, to assist them in extricating themselves from the diffi- 
culty. How shall this aid be afforded ? By a resolution composed of 
specifications? That certainly can do nothing ; for all that is to he 
gained in this way, is gained already. We shall accomplish the end 
desired, if an influence proceeds from this Conv^ention, which shall 
give direction to public sentiment, and control public conscience, and 
awaken a sense of personal, social, and civil responsibility to the Au- 
thor ot the high mandate concerning the Sabbath-day. 

I hope, therefore, the house will consent to let this resolution pass 
as it is, with little or no discussion ; and then I think we shall be pre- 
pared to learn something from the forwarders themselves, who speak 
from the impressions of common-sense, and from a view of the rela- 
tion of the laws of nature, to the laws of God. If the natural course 
of business be followed in the Convention, I apprehend we shall find 
that the forwarders and boatmen, on all these points, arc five years in 
advance of public sentiment. 

Mr. Stakr believed that the Convention had been acting w^ithout 
information which ought to be spread before them, before they pro- 
ceeded farther. Gentlemen were here, who had been engaged for 
months in the business, and knew more about it, than the whole house 
besides. Perhaps, after hearing their statements, the definite course 
proposed, would be taken. He w ished then, that their statements 
might be heard, and papers from forwarders and others, read in reply 
to certain queries proposed to them. 

Dr. LucKEY moved that the resolution under discussion, lie on the 
table until the papers were read, and the information obtained. 



64 

The motion was carried, and the resolution was laid on the table. 

On motion of Dr. Luckey, the information was asked for. 

Rev. Mr. Cueky said that for the last ten years he had been brought 
in contact with persons engaged in this matter, and, said he, I havo 
learned enough of the opinions they entertain, to upset all the notions 
I chea^ished before ; and such also, as brother Wisner and others in 
the Convention, have adopted. This is the experience of practical 
men, and is not to be put down by those who are entirely unacquainted 
with the facts of the case. 

Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca, regretted that he had detained the Conven- 
tion so long — purely out of his ignorance of the subject — when his 
brother (Mr. Curry) had information at the time, which would have 
enlightened him at once on all these points. He thought it cruel in 
his brother to have thus far kept it to himself. 

The following resolution was then read by Mr. Stillman, as fol- 
lows : 

" That it is the decided conviction of this body, that if those who 
profess to be Christians, and to respect the laws of God, woiild avoid 
all violations of the fourth commandment, by their personal example 
. and theii' business arrangements, ojis of the great obstacles to a tho- 
rough reform, would be removed." 

Rev. Mr. Stillman said that facets would sustain this assertion. 
' He had been Corresponding Secretary and General Agent of the A- 
merican Bethel Society, about three years. At first, he supposed the 
boatmen were-mainly responsible for the want of aiSabbath upon our 
..canals. But, after some month's experience, he learned that his 
views were radically incorrect. The incidents he was about to re- 
late, had brought him to this conclusion. 

Iwas in, a forwarding-house in Albany, in the spring of 1640 ; the 
agent was ,a respected Christian brother ; we had a long and inter- 
esting conversation on the subject of Sabbath desecration on the Erie 
canal. Our conversation ending, -a deck hand, who had been an at- 
tentive listener, approached me, saying, " Sir, I perceive you have 
not taken hold of this matter at the right end." On my expressing 
a willingness to learn from him, he:added, " I think you had better 
go out West, and convert the Church over again ; for many of them 
will sell their consciences for two cents on a cwt. of transportation." 
I could not but regard this as a grave and serious charge, if not a 
malicious slander upon the Church ; and asked him to explain him- 
self. He then named a Christian merchant, who is one of a commit- 
tee whose business it is to visit the boats on the Sabbath, distribute 
tracts, and invite them to stop and visit the sanctuary where they can 
" hear of heaven, and learn the way ;" and, said this man, after 
commencing a negotiation to have his merchandize forwarded by a 
Sabbath-keeping line, at a given price — because he could get it done 
by a Sabbath-breaking line, at two cents cheaper per cwt., he em- 
ployed the latter ; and one load, at least, of his, was landed at his 
place of residence on the Sabbath. 

Last season, in conversation with an intelligent captain, I said, I 
hope the time will come when you boatmen will be permitted to en- 
joy that day of rest which God has made for man. He remarked, 



65 

*' You arc hoping against hope." ''What makes you tliink so ?" said 
I. He then took out his bill of lading, and said, "You see, here, 
I am freighted with merchandize for nine different mercantile estab- 
lishments — three in Western New-York, three in Ohio, and three in 
Michigan : and I have learned from my passengers, that seven of 
them are professing Christians, and they send their goods by a Sab- 
batJi-breaking line, expecting to get them one day sooner." I inquir- 
ed wjiat motive influenced liim to inquire after the Christian charac- 
ter of men whom he never expected to meet. He replied, " I was 
looking to see if any light was likely to shine upon the boatmen ; and 
I am forced to confess, that for these reasons, all is yet darkness." 

Another boat captain said to me, "I think you ministers and 
church-members know but little about this subject. Look at Roch- 
ester. If the Christian millers in that city, would take a decided 
stand, and say. Not one barrel of our flour shall go to market on 
any boat that does not scrupulously regard the Sabbath, the last 
boat that would ever disturb the surface of the Erie canal on the 
Sabbath, has passed." He then proceeded to show me that the a- 
mount of business controlled by these men, was so great, and it was 
so much of an object sometimes to secure it, that the owners of boats 
would be compelled to lay up on the Sabbath. If this is true, who 
can estimate the responsibility of this city, in relation to the subject 
before us '? 

In some portions of our country, public sentiment has changed the 
whole face of things in this respect. 

Take, for example, the steam-boat routes from New. York city, 
eastward through Long Island Sound. There, the whole business of 
the Sabbath desecration is abandoned, unless it be an hour or two be- 
fore dawn on the Sabbath morning, to reach their place of destina- 
tion. Not even for carrying the mails, do the boats move. About 
a year since an express from Washington, with despatches to the A- 
merican Minister at the Court of St. James, was on its way to Bos- 
ton, to reach a steam-packet about to sail for England. In conse- 
quence of there being no mail on the Sabbath, on those eastern routes, 
these despatches, together with hundreds of letters, were detained 
for two weeks. Infidelity and irreligion, upon this, became so clam- 
orous, that the Post-master General supposed himself compelled to 
re-establish the Sabbath mail in that direction. The steam-boat 
company from New- York to New-Haven, were under contract to car- 
ry the mail between those cities, six days in the week, for 88,000 ; 
but they would not agree to carry it for fifty-two Sabbaths, without 
$17,000 additional. And this because they must go for the mail a- 
lone ; for few, if any, passengers there would travel on the Sabbath. 
The next link in the chain, viz. : the rail-road from New-Haven to 
Hartford, would not give any terms, by which they would be requir- 
ed to run on that day. Applications were subsequently made by the 
routes to Norwich, Stonington, and Providence, and were alike un- 
successful. 

For these statements, I have only newspaper authority : but what 
do they prove ? Why, that public sentiment there most fully sustains 
those who dare not violate the fourth commandment ; and, it might 
5 



66 

easily be proved that public sentiment there^ is directed, if not con- 
trolled, by the consistent example of professing Christians ; and the 
owners of stock had found out that their true interest lay in their aid^ 
ing to sustain this public sentiment. But why bring forward a reso- 
lution of this kind, which is calculated to lower the ministry and the 
Church in public estimation, and put a weapon in the hands of infi. 
delity ? For one, I feel no desire to bring a railing accusation a- 
gainst any who profess the religion of Christ. From personal inter- 
course with many who have lent the influence of their personal ex- 
ample, to sustain Sabbath desecration, I am satisfied, that most, if not 
all of them, sin ignorantly. They do not feel conscious of the mag- 
nitude of this evil, nor the effect of their influence in perpetuating it. 
They always flatter themselves that there is something peculiar iti 
their case, which amounts to a justification. And thus, doubtless, 
many will continue to feel, until the entire system is broiten up. 
Probably not a Sabbath passes, but some professing Christians may 
be found on these thoroughfares. Last Sabbath I spent at Schenec- 
tady. I saw the approaching and departing trains of rail-road cars. 
As I gazed upon the evening train from Albany, about the going 
down of the sun, there were but few passengers — perhaps fifteen or 
twenty — and, of these, three were, to my knowledge, professors of re- 
ligion — two from one church in Ohio, and one from a church in West- 
ern New-York, whose pastor is present. 

Almost every week, co^^plaints are poured into our ears from 
boatmen, of the inconsistencies of professors of religion. Sometime* 
they display great sagacity in finding out these things. They wil!, 
in some way, ascertain the religious character of passengers — get 
their church relations; and, when the Sabbath arrives, if they re- 
main onboard, a record is made of the fact ; and the particular case 
is put in a situation to be made known. We should be unv/illing to 
" tell in Gath, or publish in the streets of A^kelon," facts which we- 
know of this kind. 

I once had my attention directed to the register of names kept on, 
the island at Niagara Falls, and was especially pointed to a name 
tinder date of a Sabbath, which was the name of a D. D. in New- 
England. The church and minister in that village, knew not of his 
having been there ; and would have been exceedingly rejoiced to re- 
ceive instruction from his lips. 

Within two years, I have conversed with a large proportion of the- 
forwarders upon our canals, in reference to the stopping of boats on 
the Sabbath. From a large majority of them, I have met no opposi- 
tion ; for their common-sense notions of propriety, pronounced my 
views correct. One who, at that ^me, wielded more influence, per- 
haps, tlian any other, did express it, as his opinion, that my views^ 
carried out, would do an immense injury to- the boatmen, because 
they would congregate about the- locks and liorse-stations, and com- 
mit vastly more sin, than they could possibly do, by moving along. 
It was in vain I pointed him to the law of God, and to that declara- 
,tion of Scripture, " in keeping of thy commandments, there is great 
reward," and predicted that he would ultimately find that the wealth 
he;had acquired by desecrating the Sabbath, was " put into a bag 



67 

with holes," and that God would blow upon it. Now, although he 
will not acknowledi]:e my doctrine, he is forced to admit that his 
wealth has gone to the winds. 

The providence of God, in a variety of ways, has smiled upon ef- 
forts to save the Sabbath from desecration. The example of individ- 
uals has been of great avail. Take an example. On the breaking 
up of our national Cabinet last autumn, when the Hon. Mr. Critten- 
den and his family, together with some members of the Senate and 
Congress of these United States, were returning to their homes in 
the West ; and on reaching a landing place on the Ohio river on Sat- 
urday night, Mrs. C, it seems, determined to make a manifestation 
of her Christian principles. She did not begin, as I might have done, 
with reproaches for their forgetfulness of God, and want of reverence 
for his law ; but silently determined that, let the rest of the company 
do as they would, she must go ashore. The noiseless influence of 
her consistent, Christian example, so commended itself to the captain 
and her fellow-passengers, that the boat remained there till the Sab- 
bath Avas passed ; and her influence, thus exerted, will be felt 
throughout that valley, till the waters of the Mississippi shall cease to 
flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Now, such an influence as this, we 
may frequently exert, and no man can estimate its extent. Go, then, 
and do likewise. Total abstinence — the glorious principle of the 
temperance reform — must be introduced, in reference to this matter. 

l might allude to a great variety of facts ; all of wliich would cor- 
roborate that view of this subject, which is taken in the resolution be- 
fore us. One of these facts came out yesterday in the letter of an 
old sailor, which was then read. Nor can -we be surprised that Sab- 
bath-keeping men are sought for by our commercial men. The in- 
cidents related yesterday by my friend from Cleveland, (Mr. Kings- 
bury,) speak volumes in praise of the Sabbath, and the consciences 
of men who keep it. On our canals, the question has been directly 
put to more than 20,000 of boatmen ; and, with two exceptions, all 
seem most earnestly to desire a Sabbath. I have been repeatedly- 
entreated by them to go to the Canal Commissioners^ and plead their 
cause, as the cause of the oppressed, and ask them to close the locks 
on the Sabbath-day. I have a number of tinted endeavored to com- 
ply with their requests, but did not succeed till last spring, when I 
had a patient hearing. Subsequently, the same subject came before 
them in the shape of a petition from Whitehall ; and on the 26th of 
May, the board answered it. In their answer, they expressed a wil- 
lingness to close the locks, when there should be no necessity for o- 
pening them. But, perhaps, it is better, in this connexion, to read, 
the report itself, than to make any comments upon it. 

Albany, May 26, 1842. 
Gentlemen : 

The Canal Board have received and considered your petition 
of the 30th of April, in which you ask the Board to instruct the col- 
lector of canal tolls at Whitehall, to withhold clearances on the Sab- 
bath, from boats navigating on that canal. 

It is to be regretted that every portion of the community is not 
5* 



68 

convinced that the Sabbath is an institution pecuharly adapted to 
the rehgious, moral, and physical wants and necessities of man. 

Tliis conviction, however, in the opinion of the Canal Board, can 
neither be created nor strengthened by mandatory regulaations. 
Moral means, by precept and example, are alone efficacious. 

The statute of this State, prohibiting travelling and servile labor 
on the Sabbath, is nearly a dead letter ; and, like similar regulations, 
its rigid enforcement would create more immorality than it would 
suppress. The secular arm has always been a poor coadjutor of 
both morality and religion. It can moke thousands of hypocrites, 
but not one genuine proselyte. Public sentiment, created by the 
influence of the wise and the good, is the great regulator of the 
public morality. 

If the boatmen can be prevailed upon to suspend their labors on 
the Sabbath, the Canal Board will be much gratified at the arrange- 
ment, and will direct the suspension of the labors of the collectors 
and lock-tenders, on that day. But, whilst they are intent upon 
pursuing their labors on that day, a prohibitory regulation, instead 
of awakening their moral feeling, would only excite their opposition 
and resentment. 

This is, in short, the impression which the Canal Board have felt 
on the subject, and which they have instructed me to communicate. 

S. YOUNG, 

President, pro. tern. 

Similar to this, I fear, will be >the result of all applications for re- 
lief from that source. They feel a regard for the Sabbath, and are 
willing to express it, but they doubt the wisdom of legal enactments 
on such a subject ; and when they assert that public sentiment must 
be the law, and that the people must redress such grievances as are 
complained of, they express the feelings of many wise and good men. 
I know the people can do it : I fully believe ^the people will do it-; 
and may God grant this Convention may do much to give public 
sentiment a proper direction. 

Deacon Eaton said that he had been a canal missionary for two 
or three years, and he had been able ^to learn the feelings of the 
boatmen on this subject. He said that, generally, their language is, 
" Give us the Sabbath." This, he thought, was the desire of seven- 
eighths of them. They say they are driven to work on the.Sabbath, 
and now know no other way. It is very generally believed that the 
canal boatmen are infidels ; but there is not half as much infidelity 
there, as in small villages. There are few but believe in the obliga- 
tion of God's word. A few days ago, a ^anal-boat captain — on my 
telling him that I was coming to this Convention — said that he 
wished he had time td~stop : he wished to ask the Convention that 
they would devise some way in which the canal men could enjoy the 
Sabbath. He said he was not a Christian, and thought he never 
should be, until he could have the Sabbath. This is the general ex- 
pression of them all. 

It is charged upon many who lay up their boats on the Sabbath, 
that they spend the day in card-playing ; but I have never known an 



65 

instance of this kind. There arc now a great many private boats 
that keep the Sabbath. 

A captain at Rome, told me that both he and his wife had lately 
experienced rclipon ; but he was forced to run his boat on the Sab- 
bath, and he had almost los^t his hope. 

It is time that the Church was purified of this sin. If it could bo 
done, the influence would be most salutary. This Convention is one 
which I have long desired to see ; and it is probably the last of the 
kind I shall ever attend. I hope it will effect something towards 
preventing the desecratiron of the Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. HoiTtiiNs, of Auburn, said that he wished to make one 
remark, with reference to what Mr. Still:\ian had said, and to thank 
him- for the information he has given me, as well as to suggest a plan 
to stop this evil. Not long since, I received a letter from New-York, 
written to notify me that a member of my church had left that city 
on Sunday morning, in alwat for Albany. I took the letter, and be- 
gan to inquire what it was best to do, and how I should find out 
who it was. I finally took the letter into the pulpit, and told the 
congregation that it was from an excellent man in New-York, who 
wrote to me that a member of my church had left that city in a boat 
on Sunday morning. I folded it up, and went on preaching. Be- 
fore Saturday night, I was called upon by three members of my 
church, each one inquiring if I alluded to him ! This may suggest 
a method of arresting- the evil. 

Mr. Whitney wished to make a further statement, with reference 
to carrying the mail on the Massachusetts Western rail-road. The 
Post-master General was not satisfied with the terms on which the 
company offered to do it, and brought the matter before the Massa- 
ciiusetts legislature. Their Committee on Rail-roads reported that 
the Post-master General had made a liberal offer, and the company 
ought to accept it. Still, the directors refused, and Harnden's Ex- 
press was employed to take the Sabbath mail, which now goes from 
New-York, by way of Springfield. And this Post-master General is 
a member of the Presbyterian church. 

Captain Gka?,'t, of Troy, said that he was brought up a boatman 
on the North River, and had been for some years a forwarder, 
though he was not now. For sixteen or seventeen years he had been 
a distributer of tracts on the boats. He agreed, he said, very nearly, 
with what had already been said ; and thought the great thing was 
to get the Church right on the subject. He found more difficulty in 
getting church members to stop travelling on the Sabbath, than in 
any thing else. We have succeeded this year in jsjetting one estab- 
lishment to discontinue running boats on the Sabbath, but it was 
with great difficulty : they say that Christians do not support them 
in their efforts. Still, there are many true men among them, who 
will sacrifice every thing for the sake of stopping this great eviL 
All we need to carry forward the work, is more consistent action. 
Even if Christians have to pay a few cents more for transportation 
on a Sabbath-keeping line, they should do it : thus a competition will 
be created, which will, in the end, secure the establishment of these 
lines ; but thus far, they have been run at a continual sacrifice : they 



70 

have not been well sustained. One of them has been started on the 
Northern canal ; and we have got a line of tow-boats on the North 
River, which does not labor on the Sabbath. The boatmen are 
better prepared for the reform, than is generally believed. The fer- 
ry at Troy never makes money on the Sabbath ; for public opinion 
is so thoroughly against it, that few ci-oss. In our whole section of 
country they are anxious for a change. Nor do I feel at all discour- 
aged by the refusal of the legislature to close the locks. We have 
the right on our side, and must ultimately succeed. 

Judge Sampson suggested that, though these statements were in- 
teresting, there was yet a good deal of business to be done ; and he 
feared that the session of the Convention must be brought to a close 
to-day, as many would be forced to go home. He moved, therefore, 
that the unfinished business of the Convention be taken up. 

Mr. Starr hoped the motion would not pass : there was yet much 
to be said on the subject, and he wished to have it thoroughly discuss- 
ed. He held in his hand replies from two forwarders in this city, to 
certain queries proposed to them ; and if the Convention was not in 
haste to adjourn, he would present them. 

Judge Sampson withdrew his motion, for the purpose of hearing the 
letters read. 

Mr. Starr said he desired first to get an expression from the Con- 
vention, as to the wish about remaining in session another day. 

On motion of Judge Wilkeson, it was decided to be expedient to 
close the session on that day. 

Judge Howell, of Canandaigua, said he could see no reason for 
remaining in session longer. He had listened with great interest, 
and yet with some impatience, to what was said. He regretted to see 
such a disposition to talk. Why not take up the business on the 
plan reported by the committee appointed for that purpose, and go on 
and finish it ? The Convention had received all the information they 
would be likely to get. He renewed the motion, therefore, to re- 
sume the unfinished business. 

Dr. LucKEY said he should vote for the motion, as he could not 
conceive what connexion the letters had with the resolution before 
the house. 

The motion was carried ; and the question was then on the 
tmeJfth resolution, and, on being taken, the I'esolution was unanimous- 
ly adopted. 

The thirteenth resolution was then read, as follows : 

13. Resolved, That we hereby respectfully and earnestly request 
the friends of the Sabbath throughout the country, and throughout 
the world, to enter into a similar agreement ; and to do what may be 
most useful in obtaining the names, and making known the numbers 
who are willing thus to give to the observance of the Sabbath, the 
support of their individual and united example and influence. 

This was also adopted unanimously. 
The fourteenth resolution was then read : 

14. Resolved, That in the forming of local associations, wherever 
they may be thought to be best, for the promotion of the observance of 
the Sabbath, it be recommended that the form of agreement and the 



71 

course of efforts be such as will most extensively promote tlie due 
observance of timt day ; and that they agree especially to abstain 
from those violations which are most prevalent among themselves. 

The question was taken, and the resolution was adopted unani- 
mously. 

The fiftcnith resolution was then read : 

15. Resolved, That it is the conviction of this body, that if those 
'vvho profess to be Christians and to respect the laws of God, v.ill con- 
scientiously abstain from all violations of the fourth commandment, 
both by their personal example and their business arrangements, the 
greatest obstacle to the success of this enterprise, will be removed. 

Judge Howell said that he was not prepared to say, by his vote, 
that the greatest obstacle to the keeping of the Sabbath, was the 
Church. It migiit be true ; but he was not prepared to say so. He 
suggested that the words ^^ a great '^ be substituted; and the Busin- 
ess Committee said they would accept the amendment. 

Mr. Powell, of Cincinnati, said that he would vote for the resola- 
tion, as amended, but he thought its force destroyed. 

Judge Howell said that the gentleman was out of order, as the o- 
riginal resol;jtion was not a subject of debate, the amendment liaving 
been accepted. 

The President decided that the original resolution was under de- 
bate — as the committee had no power to accept the amendment — the 
resolution having passed to the house. 

Rev. Tryon Edwarbs moved to strike out the amendment of 
Judge Howell, and insert in the original resolution, the words " vne 
of the greatest obstacles,'" instead of " the greatest obstacle." 

Rev. Mr. Galtjsha said that he was opposed to the amendment. 
He liked the directness of the original resolution. It is such lan- 
guage as Christ used, in speaking of the agency that is to convert tiie 
world. What did he say to his disciples ? You are part of the light 
of the world ? No ! You are the light of the world : you are tke 
salt of the earth. I verily believe, said Mr. Galusha, that if the 
Church would let her light shine, and there was no cloud to obstruct 
her rays — there is not a national vice that could stand before her. 
It would wither as if struck by the lightning of heaven. Let the 
Church be pure and upright, and she would control the world. Reli- 
gioR rules the world now. If it be false, the world is corrupt — if 
true, it sends forth a healthful influence. The Church of Christ may 
be rq^arded as a gr-eat steam-engine. If rightly directed, it draws 
the whole train after it in a proper manner. If she is corruy)t, the 
whole world sinks into moral pollution. Now, shall not the Cliurch 
of God be cleansed ? I believe that Christ has lodged in the Church 
a sufficient power to reform the world, and if it were exerted, the 
world would speedily be reformed. Remove the obstacle of the 
Church, and every other obstacle would give way at once. I say of 
this as an old preacher used to say of moral inability : " We hear 
a great deal of the can not,^^ said he ; " but if men will only untie the 
will not, the ca?i not will come apart like a how knot." If i under- 
stand the matter, the Church is the great reforming power ; and if 
she was untrue to her high trust, the obstacle is insurmountable. 



72 

Remove that out of the way, and all others will be powerless. We 
have been apologizing for the infirmities of human nature, and the 
selfishness of the human heart, till we have not got a sin in the land 
that is not endorsed by the Church of Christ : she has become 
w^ell-nigh bankrupt in character ; and has lost her power, because she 
has lost her purity. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca, said that he was sorry to intrude on 
the attention of those who seemed to have their minds made up ; but 
he was in favor of the amendment, and should be sorry to have the 
resolution pass without it. I am prepared, said he, to appreciate the 
remarks of brother Galusha, that the Church is the great instrument 
of God for reforming the world ; but he would seek to reform the 
world by taking it out of the Church, and giving it into the hands af 
this body. Now, what is this body ? Is it the Church of Christ met 
together to reform itself? No Sir. It is a convention af citizens 
from different parts of the country, and of different occupations — not 
confined at all to professors of religion, met together as a convention : 
and what to do ? Why, it would seem, first to reform the Church. 
The Church is the great instrument of reforming the world ; but we, 
as part of the world, must first reform the Church. And how are 
we to do it ? By denouncing the Church and her ministers, as tlie 
great cause of all the corruption in the world ? Now, the Church is 
said to be the great instrument by which the world is to be purified ; 
and we would paralyze her influence, by telling the world tiiat she 
has no purity ; and then we say to the Church, " Naw we have bran- 
ded you ; go forth to reform the world." It is, Sir, one of the a- 
larming evils of the day, that the order of our Lord Jesus Christ is 
utterly subverted. The Church and her ministers — the gi'eat instru- 
ment for reforming the world — is called to sit down at the feet of lo- 
cal agents of self-constituted societies, to be lectured by them, and 
told of its delinquencies and corruptions. It seems to me that if she 
would longer preserve her pov/er, the Church must stand up against 
this conduct, or at once resign her functions, and commit them to the 
hands of some self-created association. There is not a more alarm- 
ing evil under the whole heaven, than this desecration of the minis- 
try, and this trampling of this divine institution of God under foot. I 
have no disposition to excuse the sins of the Church ; but I do not like 
to be told, as we have been told by some of those agents, that if we 
had only known as much as they did about the matter, we should have 
acted differently. We had better be " bound out" to some Moral 
Reform Society, and learn of them how to advocate the cause of 
Christ. I must, for one, bear my testimony against this trampling 
under foot of the Church of God ; and the Church must stand up and 
bear her testimony against it. I am, therefore, decidedly in favor of 
the amendment ; and, as amended, I have no objection at all to the 
resolution ; because, it is a fact which has fully come out in this dis- 
cussion, that members of the Church of Christ, are guilty of desecrat- 
ing the Sabbath of the Lord. But I am not pleased with the course 
that has been taken in preferring these charges. I believe it altoge- 
ther better to make such charges by name, and not impute corrup- 
tion to a whole class. I do not like to see a man rise and say that 



73 

members of this Convention have been guilty of Sabbath-breaking in 
coming here. I would rather he would name them, if he knows 
them, than thus to cast suspicion on the whole. If I have anythinjir 
against any member, Clirist has directed me what to do ; and I 
should not thank any member who should come to me and say, 
" Brother Wisner, a member of your church, is an habitual Sabbath- 
breaker :'' but I should thank him if he would say, " Mr. Wisner, 
A, B, or C, has done so and so, in violation of the Sabbath ; and I 
wish you would attend to it." Then, the reform may be brought a- 
bout without slandering the whole Church. 

These are the last remarks I shall make here, and I feel glad to 
bear testimony against the course that has been adopted, in toto. 
And here let me say, that I am, by no means, tenacious of any opinion 
of my own. I did feel that we needed something more specific ; and, 
after what I was told, I supposed that if I had only some other facts 
which others knew, su-ch a flood of light would have been poured up- 
on the subject, that I should clearly have seen my error. But when 
this illuminating flood came, I saw that it had shone upon my path 
before ; for I had heard brother Stillman, and he says precisely as 
I did, that we must have something more specific. But he pours 
out the vials of his wrath upon the Church ; and tells the world that 
it is in vain to come here to reform mankind : that the Church is the 
power to do this : and she is so corrupt that she cannot. Thus we 
have met in Convention to reform Christ's instrument for reforming 
the world. 

Rev. Mr. Galusha said that Mr. Wisner seemed to regard the re- 
solution as charging that the Church was the sole cause of corruption 
in the world. The great obstacle is, in reality, the want of unity in 
the Church. A want of concert is the cause of failure. If any ex- 
pression of mine has led to the belief that I meant to say that the 
Church had lost her character, I wish to remove it. 

Mr. Wisner. The expression was that " the Church had lost her 
power, because she had lost her pwify f' 

Mr. Galusha. Yes, in the eyes of the world it is so. There 
seems to be a fear that the Church will be dictated to by voluntaiy 
associations. 1 wish to suggest that these associations are all based 
upon the fact, that the Church does not act in concert against the 
common enemy ; and even those who have the most zeal, cannot, ex- 
cept by these associations, rally in solid phalanx against the sins of 
the world, as they seek to do through the agency of these voluntary- 
associations. It is this want of union in action, of which I complain ; 
for this is the great obstacle in the way of reform. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner did not wish to be understood as speaking a- 
gainst voluntary associations, in themselves ; but only against their 
course in relation to the Church. 

The question was then taken on the amendment of Rev. Tryon 
Edwards ; and it was adopted by a very large majority. 

The resolution, as amended, was then put to the house, and adop- 
ted. 

The Convention then adjourned. 



74 

7-| o'clock, p. M. 

The Convention reassembled, and the sixteenth resolution was read 
®,s follows : 

16. Resolved, Tha,t all travelling, employment, sharing profits, or 
holding stock of or in connexion with railroads, canal or steam boats, 
stages, or other associations or vehicles for business or pleasure, which 
continue their ordinary em.ployment upon the Sabbath, are violations 
of the fourth commandment, and should be abandoned by all who 
liold the doctrine of equal rights — claim to be philanthropists and pa- 
triots — desire to prosper in business — transmit the results of their toil 
to their heirs — or avert the judgments of heaven. 

Mr. Starr, for the Business Committee, said this resolution had 
been introduced to meet what seemed to be the general desire for 
specification. He believed all the topics alluded to in it, had been 
■already discussed. 

Judge Sampson said he should cheerfully acquiesce in passing the 
resolution without debate, were it not for his individual situation, 
which he presumed was somewbat peculiar. He felt that he could 
not consistently vote for the resolution, without taking an entirely 
different course from any he had yet seen fit to take. He regretted 
the necessity of trespassing upon the time of the Convention. He did 
not rise to oppsse the passage of the resolution, but to define his own 
position, and respectfully to solicit from his Christian brethren what- 
ever light they could give him as to his duty in the matter. 

The case, said he, is briefly this : Several years since, I was in- 
duced, partly by a regard for public utility, but more for private e- 
molument, to take part in the establishment of a rail-road. I suppo- 
sed the stock would be valuable, and the investment a good one. The 
result has shown tha.t I was mistaken. The road is not completed, 
though a part is in operation. I do not know that the stock has now 
any fixed market value ; but it is thought that, after the road shall 
have been finished, the investment will be much better than it now 
appears. 

With regard to running the cars on the Sabbath, the decision to 
which the closest reflection I could give to the subject, has brought 
me, is this : to use my influence as far as I could, not to do so. In 
that, myself and those who were with me, were overruled. The 
practice is to run one train on the Sabbath for the mail : no more. 
I allude to the Tonawanda road. It will probably be completed du- 
ring the present season. 

I had long ago determined, as soon as there should be any settled 
market value to the stock, to sell it, if we could not succeed in pro- 
ducing the change we sought. I did not think it my duty, at any and 
every sacrifice, to get rid of my stock, nor do I now ; though I can- 
not say that I feel perfectly clear as to what I ought to do. It may 
be that I am in error. I consider myself liable to error in judgment ; 
though this is the result of my own reflection. The amount of capi- 
tal is several thousand dollars— for me a large sum, though without 
it I should not be left destitute. If convinced that my duty, my 
Christian consistency, and the law of God require me to make the 
sacrifice, I trust I am ready to do it. Other individuals I happen t<> 



75 

"linow, are situated in the same way with myself. Thus being situ- 
ated, I cannot consistently vote for the resolution, unless convinced 
that it is my duty to sacrifice all my interest in the road, immedi- 
ately. 

Mr. HicKOK, of Buffalo, said that he, too, felt called on to say a 
lew words on this resolution. He said that he held some stock in the 
same road ; and, from wliat he had been able, from observation, to 
see of the motives tiiat usually influence men, hi thought it right that 
Christians should hold and control all the rail-road and stcam-boat 
stock that they could ; for thus they might bring about the results 
for which they were aiming. I resolved, some years since, that I 
would hold stock in this road, so long as there was any hope of bring- 
ing about the prevention of Sabbath desecration. But the moment I 
found it hopeless, I should sell the stock at any sacrifice. I have 
thus uniformly used all the influence I possessed in the company, in 
favor of this object. But the most of it is held by men who care lit- 
tle for these things. Some of them, however, I am happy to say, are 
here to-day, and have come up with me to endeavor to impress upon 
this Convention, the necessity that that rail-road should not run its 
•cars on the Sabbath ; and that our voice to that effect, might go forth 
frona here to the whole countiy. I suppose that if we could succeed 
in stopping it on that road, it would have the effect of stopping it on 
the whole route. I am therefore of opinion that it is the duty of 
Christians to take this method of influencing the public sentiment. 
But if we decide that it is not proper to own stock, then we must also 
decide not to ride over, or in any way gi\"e countenance to, rail -roads 
that run on the Sabbath. If you do this with a view to carry out the 
sanctity of the Sabbath, you will find all the owners of boats and 
cars to be men who look at it merely with reference to dollars and 
■cents. 

I am, therefore, as I observed before, of the opinion that it is the 
duty of Christians, if they have money to invest, to do so in rail-road 
stocks, and in other modes of public conveyance, for the purpose of 
■controlling them. The time has come for action on this subject ; and 
I know no way in which Christians can act more to the purpose, than 
in this. It is not necessary to come up here, to say what is our duty 
in general terms, for we all know that ; but it is time to do it, and I 
hope we shall begin now. We stand much in the same ground, in 
relation to a Christian community, as Esther did when she was cal- 
led on by Mordecai to go in before the king and ask for the salvation 
of her people and nation, when he told her not to think that she should 
escape more than all others ; for if she held her peace, salvation to 
the Jews should arise in another place, but she and her house should 
be destroyed. Is not this the situation of the Christian community ? 
And are we not called on to speak out to the kings (the people), and 
to ask them to come up to this great work ? I feel that this is the 
most important resolution that has been presented. I v/ould say to 
my friend who holds stock in this road with myself, to hold it still, 
as having receiving it from Christ, as the allowance of the Almighty 
for the good of his fellow-men ; and I wish every Christian who has 
money, would buy into these roads, that, by sacrificing something, 



76 

he may give his influence to effect the hallowing of the holy Sab^ 
bath. 

Rev. Mr. Curry said that he understood the resolution to declare 
that it is sinful to hold stock, under any circumstances, in Sabbath- 
breaking; rail-roads; and from the remarks of Mr. Hickok, he sup- 
posed he could not have so understood the resolution. 

Mr. HicKOK said that he considered this resoltition to declare that 
it was sinful to hold stock in a rail-road, &c., while there was no 
hope of bringing about the keeping of the Sabbath by it ; but while 
there was any such hope, he thought it right to hold stock. As to 
the time, that was left in the breast of each individual, who must 
settle for himself the motive by which he is governed. 

Mr. Curry said his object was to bring out the explanation, so tha?t 
it might be known what the committee meant by the resolution. I 
was opposed, said he, to specification ; but since we have begun, I 
think it best to be very specific, so that the members may not under- 
stand one thing by the resolution, and the public another. If the 
resolution pass and go to the world in its present shape, it will be 
misunderstood. A plain man would say that it means just what it 
says ; and that Judge Sampson, if he approve the resolution, cannot 
hold stock in a Sabbath-breaking rail-road a' moment after. 

There is another difficulty which is wholly a question of casuistry ; 
and that is, suppose all hope of bringing about a change, is lost : v/hat 
shall the owner do with his stock then 1 "Why," says one, "sell it — 
that is, give up the whole management into the hands of those who 
will, without scruple, violate the Sabbath !" Would it not be more 
consistent to take the other ground ? I believe that I know enough 
of the minds of men, to knov/ that almost every man would call upon 
him to do just as they did with regs/i-dto alcohol — pour it into ihe 
street. But they may say you cannot destroy money ! No : but 
you can renounce all claim to- it, and show to the world that you are 
disinterested in the matter. 

All that I wish is, to have the resolution definitely understood; I 
would oppose it if I thought it would be of any service, because, Sir, 
I believe it to be fraught with difficulties we shall not be able to 
overcome. If the Convention design to effect good, they must let the 
question as to what is sin and what is not, alone. The whole thing 
sliould be thrown back to the breasts of the church. 

Dr. Edwards wished to say one word. He differed from the com- 
mittee as to the propriety of introducing that resolution, because he 
thought it would not be useful. The Convention ought rather to trust 
to the consciences of men to say what was a breach of the fourth 
commandment ; and under the light thrown upon the subject by the 
discussion, he was willing to trust to that. He thought the great ob- 
ject of the Convention would be best promoted by not passing the re- 
solution. 

Mr. Starr moved to insert the words " for investment," after the 
word " stock," as that would convey the notion of permanent invest- 
ment. 

Mr. Curry said that would not relieve the difficulty in his mind, 
nor in the public mind. As long as the expression is in the resolu- 



77 

tion, that it is wrong to hold stock, so long will it be understood as 
condemning it in toto ; and they will overlook the explanation that 
may be given. If there were any way of placing the matter before 
the public, so that it would be understood, he had no objection ; but 
it would be found impossible to do it. 

Judge WiLKESON said that he would depart from the rule, by ask- 
ing a question. If I understand you (Mr. Curry), you do not object 
to the resolution itself, but only to what has grown out of the expla- 
nation of the committee. 

JVfr. Curry. It is to the ambiguity in the resolution, growing out 
of the explanation to which I take exception. I wish to be understood 
as objecting that the resolution, with the explanation, appears differ- 
ently from what it would to the public witlwut. 

Judge WiLKESON said it would be found that there was no cause 
for difficulty. The remarks of members touching their own views 
•of duty, have nothing to do with the resolution itself. They are 
iinade merely in reference to personal .matters ; and -the public will 
judge of them by a different -standard than this resolution. There 
seems to be no objection >at all to the resolution. As to what has 
fallen from gentlemen, it need create no alarm or disagreement. 
Members of the Convention who owned rail-road stock, had offered 
personal explanations which were entirely satisfactory ; and others 
were similarly situated. But this does not change the purport of the 
resolution. I hope that the amendment will be; adopted ; for there 
are cases, such as where property is held in trust, where; legally they 
cannot divest themselves. With this amendment, the resolution will 
have no ambiguity. 

Rev. Mr. BEECHERsaid he did not see that the amendment affected 
the resolution at all. Theonly point involved, was, whether it was 
a violation of the commands of God, to hold stock in a rail -road that 
violates tj:!e sanctity of the Sabbath. If not, very well — ^weimay all 
take held. If it is, then I .apprehend no Christian can do it. But 
some seem to think that; it is justifiable, even in this case, if they do 
it in the hope to secure the-control, and thereby stop the violation of 
the Sabbath. But is it not said that we are not to do evil that good 
may come ? . and that we are to avoid even the appearance of evil ? 
And would it be justifiable in a Christian to buy part of a theatre, in 
the hope of soon getting the whole, and thus putting it down ? Sup- 
pose I should do that,, and people sfhould say, There is Mr. Beecher, 
<Dwns five thousand dollars in a theatre, and is receiving the avails. 
Well, he is brought before the Presbytery ; and there he says that 
he does it for the purpose of stopping them by-and-by. Now what 
talk is this 1 And is it right for >a Christian to step so near the divi- 
ding line, as not to know whether he is doing right or wrong ? I 
know it naay be a hard cafie ; and it is always hard work to fight the 
devil. " Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers," is the command 
of the Bible, " Touch not, taste not, handle not;" but sell your 
stock for what it will bring. 

But, says another, you have no right to sell to another. Now there 
is a difference here, which destroys the parallel which has been 
drawn with selling alcohol. That is always injurious, and I have 



78 

therefore no right to sell ; but I have no evidence that this rail-road 
stock is to be used to any one's injury, when I sell it. If I sell 
stock in the market, I am not responsible for the use that is made of 
it. 

Rev. Mr. Slocijm, of Manlius, said that he regretted that the reso- 
lution was presented, because it tended to produce discord in the 
Convention. Thus far, every thing had been done harmoniously ; 
and he had hoped that the session would have closed in the same 
way. I am opposed to the resolution, said he, on two grounds. First, 
as to the expediency of the thing, even supposing that, in itself, the 
resolution is right. I deem it inexpedient to adopt the resolution in the 
present state of the public mind. I know that there is, now-a-days,. 
a great deal of ultraism in moral and religious matters. I know that 
voluntary associations, though they do much good, are looked on with' 
distrust. Now suppose this resolution should be adopted. Every 
man who is in the least suspicious of the movement in favor of the 
Sabbath, would read it, if he read nothing else ; and he would at 
once characterize the Convention by that resolution. Now, though 
it may be right, still it is.not always expedient to insist upon the righPf 

But it is doubtful whether the resolution is really right in its prin- 
ciples. It declares plainly, that, for an individual to receive profits 
or to hold stock in Sabbath-breaking rail-roads, is, in itself, a viola- 
tion of the fourth commandnaent. Now, if the sentiment of the reso- 
lution be true, what right has our Vice-President, who holds stock, to- 
dispose of it to any one else ? Will that sanction the violation ? 
Certainly not. It is only adding sin to sin. 

But I do not wish to debate the subject. I hope the remark of Dr.. 
Edwards will have weight with the Convention. If we settle the 
certain principle on which the Sabbath rests, and hold on to that, 
have we not done enough? These principles will work themselves 
out. A, B, and C will find out for themselves, whether the relation 
is a Christian relation, or is not ; and if not, leave it for them to with- 
draw from it. I hope that the resolution will not be adopted. 

Rev. Mr. Powell, of Cincinnati, had hoped that the resolution 
would not have come up in this form. There has been in existence, 
for about six years, a Sabbath association in Pittsburgh, comprising 
as intelligent men as any in the United States, and they have been 
battling this- question for years. Ten months ago they let go, and 
joined their Philadelphia friends in bringing the canals into Sabbath- 
keeping arrangements. And I speak advisedly when I say that,, 
from what 1 have seen of public opinion there, if the Convention had- 
adopted such a resoiiition as this, we should never have succeeded. 
But now a large proportion of men who would not otherwise have 
joined us, have been brought into united action. If we were now 
united on these points, we should succeed ; but if we pass this reso*- 
lution, we shall throw ofl^ a great many who would otherwise cheer- 
fully act with us. It is best to do what we have no doubt about ; 
and leave the rest until we have more light. 

Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca, had doubts whether it would be ex- 
pedient to try to pass the resolution — not because he did not believe 
it right, and just the thing that was wanteds — but because a divided 



79 

vote would accomplisli but little. We are told that if we had gone 
on as we had begun, we should have had no disagreement. We 
could scarcely difler on questions where no interest was aflected. It 
is only when their interests are touched, that men disagree. I per- 
ceive what I have long suspected, that the Church has slid so far 
into the world, that it finds dilliculty in knowing what its duty is. 
Still, I believe the Church is honestly disposed to get out of the diffi- 
culty, though I fear she will not until she makes the effort. We ara 
told that we have been settling great principles ; but I confess that 
I think we have settled nothing at all, except that the fourth com- 
mandment is binding in the nineteenth century ! 

It may be best, however, to abandon the resolution. I mean to- 
have no zeal for my own measure ; and I fear that a mere majority- 
vote on this resolution, would be productive of no good. Just at the 
heel of the session it will scarcely be possible to get any thing more 
specific tlian we have already. I wish to say, however, that my own 
views with regard to the necessity of specification, are unchanged. 

Rev. Mr. Beecher moved an indefinite postponement of the reso- 
lution and amendment. 

Rev. Mr. Curry seconded the motion, and said that he did so from 
an honest conviction that he should have been obliged to go farther 
than the resolution, if that was adopted. 

Mr. HicKOK wished to know what difference there was in principle, 
on the ground assumed, between owning shares ajid riding in the cars 
of a Sabbath-breaking rail-road. 

The President ruled the remarks out of order, on a question of 
postponement. 

The question on postponement was taken, aad carried by a ma- 
jority. 

Mr. Beecher moved to suspend farther business, to receive com- 
munications from Mr. Starr. 

The motion was carried, and Mr. Starr read the following papers : 

Rochester, July 21, 1842. 

1. Is, or is not, relaxation from labor, one day in seven, of vast 
importance to all men ? 

Eighteen years experience, either directly or indirectly, in the 
forwarding business, has satisfied me that it is vastly important to 
man to sustain him, either in a physical, intellectual, or moral point 
of view. 

2. Do the men employed on the canal, desire the boats to stop on 
the Sabbath ? 

As far as my experience has gone, the great majority of them are 
desirous that their boats should stop on the Sabbath. 

3. Would not better men be obtained, if Sabbath business was dis. 
continued ? 

There is no doubt on this question. Honest, conscientious men 
are kept back from engaging in Sabbath desecration, from principle. 

4. What is the effect of seven-day labor upon the morals of the 
men employed ? 

It leads to a disregard of moral and religious obligation. 



80 

5. Will not horses accomplish more and live longer, if employed 
six days instead of seven ? 

Facts may be produced to show that they will. 

6. Do the lock-tenders and collectors desire the boats should lay 
up on the Sabbath ? 

We know of but few men employed on the canal in any way, but 
would rejoice to see all locks closed and all boats stopped on the 
Sabbath. 

7. Do the forwarders desire their business should stop on the Sab. 
bath? 

We believe all forwarders are ready and willing to stop their boats 
on the Sabbath, if it could be a general thing. 

8. Do ihe six-day lines divide as large profits as the seven-day 
lines ? 

Those lines that run seven days in the week, have one-seventh the 
advantage, as their expenses, in all respects, are the same. There- 
fore it cannot be expected that, with the same business, they can di- 
vide equal to the ^even-day lines. The passengers do much to sus- 
tain canal-lines ; and the multitude will travel on the Sabbath, while 
an 'Opportunity offers. 

9. What advantage does arise from seven days, which might not 
be obtained in six days ? 

None at all, if all should stop. 

10. What reasons why this business should be prosecuted seven 
days in the week, over other business ? 

No good reasons can be given, why a man should run his boats on 
the Sabbath day, more than his plough or his wagon. 

11. What are the disadvantages that would result from laying by 
on the Sabbath ? 

None, when nil stop. 

12. Can the business on the canal, be done in six days ? 
As well as in seven. 

13. How could you lose more money by observing the Sabbath, 
in laying up your boats ? 

We think abundant facts «iay be produced to show that the busi- 
ness of the canal may be done in six days, at less expense, than in 
seven, provided all lines would stop their boats on the Sabbath. 

PLINY ALLEN. 

Answers to Twelve Interrogatories propounded to me ly F. Starr, Esq. 

1. Is not relaxation from labor, one day in seven, of importance to 
all men ? 

One day in seven is necessary to recruit the animal powers of 
man ; and I think very important that he should have that rest, in 
order to prepare him for the active prosecution of his labors during 
the other six. 

2. Do the men on the canal desire the boats to stop on the Sab- 
bath ? 

Among the men who are employed to work the boats, it would be 
very rare indeed to find one who would not earnestly wish one day 



81 

in saven for relaxation ; and of the employers, or men who own pro- 
perty on tiie canal, there are very (c\v but wiiat would rather lay up 
on the Sabbath, provided the stoppage was general. 

3. Would not better men be obtained by stopping on the Sabbath ? 

Tiiere are many honest and valuable men now employed on 
the canals ; but from consciencious •scruples, very many are deterred 
froai engaging in that business ; and should the Sabbath be properly 
respected, many valuable men could be procured to supply the pla- 
ces'of some who could be well spared from the canals. 

4* What is the eSect of seven-day labor on the physical condition 
and the morals of the men.employed ? 

A constant routine of labor, day after day and week after week, 
without any time given to recruit the body, is undoubtedly injurious 
to liealth ; and as to morals, the effect has any thing but a tendency 
to advance them. 

5-. Will not horses accomplish more and live longer, if employed 
six days instead of seven ? 

Horses on the canals are much abused. I have known a depreci- 
ation of thirty per cent, in one season, owing principally to incessant 
and constant towing, without any time given to rest. In my opinion, 
horses well taken care of, would accomplish as much, if not more, 
labor during the season, in six days, if allowed to rest the seventh, 
than tkey oouW by working the seven. 

6^ Do the lock-tenders and collectors desire the boats- should lay 
up on the Sabbath ? 

All of these men that I have ever conversed with on th'e subject, 
have expressed a decided preference to lay up on that day, but say 
they have no choice in the matter. They are compelled to be at 
tlieir post during the season of navigation, night and day, so long as 
they retain their situation. That is required of them by the officers 
of tbje canal, say the Canal Board. It would appear by this, that the 
good of the Empire State demanded or at least countenanced Sab- 
bath-breaking. 

7. Do the forwarders desire their business shouM stop on the Sab, 
bath? 

I have been engaged in forwarding on the Erie-canal nearly eight- 
een years — twelve of them on my ov;ti account. I have never en- 
tertained but one opinion on the subject of working seven days in the 
week; and that opinion was and is, that the custom is altogether 
wrong — notliing gained from it in a 'pecuniary point of view?— and every 
person knows that the rjoral effect on community, is lamentably de- 
grading, through the whole length of the canal, and, I may add, 
through the State ; for in the winter season you will scarcely enter 
a village or hamlet within the bounds of the State, but that you will 
find persons connected with canalling or forwarding ; and the habits 
they have got accustomed to, they cannot shake off, they are there 
with them, and the contagion spreads. Now I must say that for- 
warders- amd. boatmen originally are as well inclined as any other- 
portion of community ; and Ido assert that whatever difference there 
may be against the canalling portion of our citizens, it is the undeni- 
able and legitimate fruits of Sabbath-breaking. I positively believe. 



82 

and something over forty-five years experience have gone to prove, 
that much of our happiness and comfort here, saying nothing of here- 
after, depend on the use we make of the seventh day. Circumstan- 
ces made me a forwarder ; and were I altogether disconnected from 
it, I would rejoice at their prosperity. There are a great many well 
meaning, honorable men in the business, who are forced by circum- 
stances beyond their personal control, to participate in the effect of 
laboring on the seventh day, but would rejoice at the adoption of any 
legal suasive measure calculated to do away with this seven-day la- 
bor by the entire suspension of all business on the Sabbath day. I 
venture to assert, in behalf of my fellow forwarders, that nine out of 
ten who are regular forwarders, would rejoice at the prospect of do- 
ing business on an equal footing, and be allowed to rest on the sev- 
enth day. 

8. Do the six-day lines divide as large profits as the seven-diy 
lines? 

Cannot say. There have been no profits lately to divide, by either 
six or seven day lines. 

9. What advantage does arise from seven days, which might not 
be obtained in six days ? 

No advantages whatever, provided all would come into the measure. 

10. What are the disadvantages that would result from laying by 
on the Sabbath ? 

None ! none ! provided all would abstain from labor on that day. 
Many advantages would spring from it, that under the present state 
of doing business, we hardly know how to appreciate. 

11. How could you lose more money by observing the Sabbath, 
in laying up your boats ? 

This may be answered by stating that, except the observance was 
general, many customers who do not view the matter in its true light, 
would leave us if we laid up on the seventh day, while others trav- 
elled on — thinking that they would gain time, which to merchants, in 
many cases, is of much importance. But if all would lay up, that 
obstacle would be out of the way. 

12. What reasons why this business should be prosecuted seven 
days in the week, over other business 1 

No reason why. There is nothing to sanction it but its being cus- 
tomary. I consider this custom a bad one j and the sooner we get 
rid of it the better. 

Please excuse the inaccuracies of these hasty replies to your in- 
terrogatories. Yours, respectfully, 

JOHN ALLEN. 

Frederick Starr, Esq., Present. 

The hour of adjournment having arrived, on motion of Dr. Luckey, 
the session was extended half an hour. 

The seventeenth resolution was then read, as follows : 
17. Resolved, That as the improved facilities for conveying intel- 
ligence, have, as it were, annifiilated time and distance, the running 
of the mail and the opening of post-offices on the Sabbath day, are 
great and unnecessary burdens inflicted on the many for the benefit 



83 

of the few — evil in their example, demoralizing in their tendencies 
and influence, unequal, exclusive, and oppressive in their operation ; 
and, being attended with expense altogether disproportionate to any 
benefit received, they ought to be immediately discontinued. 

Mr. Starr said that he wished to bring forward some information 
before the question was taken on this resolution. At the request of 
some citizens of Rochester, about a year ago he vished the rail-road 
companies between this city and Albany, and examined the books of 
each, in order to ascertain the receipts of each day of the week. I 
spoke to them of the propriety of making contracts to carry the mail, 
only six days instead of seven in the week. At first, this was deem- 
ed impracticable ; but before I left, every one was fully convinced 
that it was not. The receipts on all the roads on the Sabbath during 
the year 1840, were only from 54 to 59 per cent, of the average on 
the other days ; and of those who did go on the Sabbath, the Super- 
intendent told me about two-thirds went in the night, to avoid being 
seen. The companies West of the Utica and Schenectady road, said 
they would put in propositions as suggested, if the Eastern compa- 
nies would do the saine. But the Utica and Schenectady company 
refused to do it, out ©f the fear that public sentiment would not sus- 
tain them in it. They would do nothing about it, unless the Post- 
Master General should order the Sunday mails to be stopped. Just 
about this time, Post-Master General Niles annihilated at a single 
blow, all the Sabbath mails in the United States, except on some of 
the great routes. 

i took stock in the rail-road between this city and Auburn, and 
held it until there was no hope of stopping the Sabbath desecration, 
and then sold it. As the Utica company had refused to stop the cars, 
unless the Post-Master General would stop the mails, I went on to 
Washington ; and as it was near the day for making the contract, I 
hoped that such an arrangement might be efl!ected, from the fact that 
nearly -all the mails had already been stopped by the fiat of the Post- 
Master. I thought this gave good ground to believe that more might 
be done. Many of the routes were important, but none as much so as 
this. I staid at Baltimore on Sunday, and went to Washington on 
Monday, where I saw the Post-Master, and spread before him what 
had been done on the subject, and spoke of the petitions addressed to 
the rail-road companies, by two or three hundred citizens of Roches- 
ter. They were signed entirely by business men, and were in fact 
presented to no others. These men were desirous of avoiding the 
■evils that ensued from the stopping of cars at public places, and from 
other causes inseparable from the practice of running the cars on the 
Sabbath. I represented that the facilities for transportation had so 
greatly increased, that it was of little consequence whether the mails 
went on Sunday. The only thing necessary was, that the news 
should be received every where at the same time. I laid before him 
all the facts I had collected, and asked what objection there could be 
to stopping the mail. He said, none, if the citizens from Albany to 
Buffalo desired it. As evidence that they did desire it, on my return 
I sent copies of petitions I had obtained in all the places I had visited. 
You may ask, then, why the mails were not stopped. I can only re- 
6* 



84 

ply, that the troubles which immediately followed, at political head-- 
quarters, the death of the President, probably prevented any farther 
thought of the subject. T-he pressnt Post-Master General, though 
often requested^ has not seen fit to act in tbematter. In my opinion, 
there never has-been so favorable a time to act for the Post- Master 
General.. Thay have once been stopped by the Democrats; and now 
if the Whigs should finish it up, no one could call it a party measure. 

It was said by the Utica^and Schenectady company, that if thev 
stopped, the boats on the river must stop also. Certainly they would*; 
and of so much greater importance is it. If this link could once be 
broken, the effect would be felt on the whole civilized world. 

The question w^asthen taken on the resolution, and it was unani- 
mously adopted. 

The ei;Jiteenth resolution was then read ae follows : 

18. Resolved, ThdiX we respectfully and- earnestly commend the 
observance of the Sabbath to the serious consideration of all the friends 
of humanity throughout the world, and to the gracious benediction of 
Him who is Lord of the Sabbath ; in w^hom all live, and move, and ' 
have their being; and who hath said to each individual, "Six days 
shalt thou labor and do all thy work ; but the seventh is the S^ibbath 
of the Lord thy God. In it thou shal'g not do any work, thou, nor thy 
son-, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-cervant, nor thy maid-servant, 
nor the stranger that is within thy gates." 

The nineteenth resolution was then read as follows': . 

19. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Convention be published ■ 
and circulated as extensively as practicable, under the direction of 
Aristarchus Champion, Tryon Edwards, Samtiel Luckey, E. F. 
Smith, J.. B. Shaw, Pharcellus Church, John Allen, Jonathan Child, 
Frederick Starr, N. T. Rochester, and Sidney Allen ; and that the 
above-named, gentlemen be a Committee of Cori'espondence in refer-- 
ence to this subject, with power to call another Convention at such 
time and place as, in thfeir judjgrment, shall seem desirable. 

The question being taken> this resolution was unanimously adop- • 
ted.. 

The following resolutions were then introduced by Dfv E^uckey : 

20. Resolved, That the thanks of this Cohvention be presented to 
the President, Judge Sutherland, for the impartial, dignified^ and', 
highly satisfactory manner in which he ha« discharged the duties of 
the chair. 

21. Resolved, That the thafnks of the Convention be presented to 
our Secretaries, for the prompt and faithful manner in which they 
have discharged the arduous duties of their office. 

The question being taken, they were unanimously adopted. 

Rev. Mr. Beecher moved that the thanks of the Convention be- 
returned to the citizens of Rochester, for their kindness and hospital- 
ity ; and to the several churches-, for the use of their houses of wor- 
ship. The motion was unanimously carried. 

At the request of the President, Rev. Mr. Powell, of Cincinnati^ 
offered a closing prayer ; and, on motion, the Convention adjourned, 
sine die. 



LIST OF DELEGATES, 



Jacob Sutherland, * Geneva, N. Y. 

Aristcrcluis Champion, Rochester. 

Frederick Wiiittlesey, " 

Rev. S. Luckey, D. D., 

E. Rhodes, Manlius. 

G. Hard, Alhion. 

N. W. Howell, Canandaigiia. 

Ashley Sampson, Rochester. 

J. B. Skinner, Wyoming. 

Rev. 'iNorris Bull, Clarkson. 

" J. W. Adams, D. D.,.» Syracuse. 

W. Hub(38ll,.. . .-, Canandaigua. 

Selah Mathews, Rochester. 

N. T. Kochester...... " 

Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D., Andover, Mass. 

- " Trvon Edwards, Rochester, N. Y. 

" J.B.Shaw,...., .» 

•*' Pharcellus Church, '^ 

*' A. G. Hall,..,. '^ 

" Chester Dewey, D. D., " 

" L. E. Lathrop, D. D., Anhurn. 

" Ira Pettihone, New- York Mills. 

" W. H. Bcecher, Batavia. 

" Henry Snyder, Bergen. 

William P. Hendrick, Farma. 

Rev. Richard Dunning, , .Adams^ Basin. 

Richard Dibble, Rochester. 

Harmon Kino;sbury , Cleveland, O. 

Rev. Gilbert'Williams, Wheatland. 

" H. B. Pierpont, ,,Avon. 

" Timothy Stowe, East Bloomjield, 

Gurdon Grant, . . . , Troy. 

Pliny A. Moore, " 

Rev. Timothy Stillmai], Dunkirk. 

Salmon Hunt, Parma. 

M. Eaton, Elhridge. 

Rev. Josiah Pearson, Bergen. 

'•' C. E. Furman, Victor, 

" E. Marsh, , Nnnda. 

John G. Parker, Rochester. 

Rev. William Wisner, Ithica. 

" Josiah Partington, KnowlesvilJe. 



86" 

Thomas Wright,^ .• Wolcott. 

Robert Laird, ,. Barre Centre. 

Rev. Asa Rand, Pompey. 

Jonathan Child, ^Rochester. 

Addison Gardner, " 

Frederick Starr, " 

Charles Kenmore, , Carlton. 

Lorin B. Tousley, ., Palmyra. 

Albert Jessup, . . » , " 

George G. Jessup, , , " 

Kneeland Fillmore, ^ Walworth, 

James L. Delaney, ..,. <, " 

Rev. E. Child, , , ^,Byron, 

Erastus Cash, , . " 

Francis Brown. , . " 

Ira Cook, .....' , . . " 

Levi Fisk,..., " 

Andrew Green, ^ " 

Thomas Kempshall, Rochester. 

George Hay ward, " 

Rev. Alvah Whitman, ^ Parma. 

" N. Otis, " 

Joshua Tripp, ., " 

Marcus Holmes, . ►.. ^. , ^ Rochester. 

Allen Harris, Central Village., 

Rev. Edwin Hall, Norwalk, Ct. 

" De Forest Parsons, Honeoye Falls. 

Charles Howe, Perinton. 

Rev. W. F. Curry, Lockport. 

« C. W. Gilman, Rushford. 

" John T. Avery, , » . , Cleveland, O. 

" S. Crampton, Holly. 

Sidney Allen, . , Rochester. 

Rev. L. Hull, Dansville. 

Thaddeus Clark, Rochester. 

C. H. Carpenter, " 

Rev. C. Merwiii, Sodus. 

G. C. Coit, Bvffalo. 

M. S. Hawley, " 

Raymond Leonard, Cincinnati, O. 

Rev. Charles G. Finney,. .,*.... Mherlin, O. 

" Ebenezer Mead, . , * , - Le Roy. 

« W. S. Burnham, Bvffalo. 

Justin Gates, ., » Rochester, 

M. Adams, , .. " 

Rev. James B . Olcott, .-.• .-. Greene. 

Isaac I. Lewis, ^Scottsville. 

Abner Adams, Ogden. 

James Sperry, Henrietta. 

P. C. Hastings, Rochester. 

Almeron Bingham, ♦ .»»^.. " 



87 

Robert D. Foy, Buffalo. 

William U. Rccd, Scottsxnile. 

Elisha Harmon, Wheatland. 

Jamas Ballontyne, Chili. 

P. McNaughtou, Scottsville. 

E. B. Coleman, Le Roy. 

F. E. Lord, Walworth. 

Rev. R. L. riurlburt, Avon. 

Frederick Munson, Ontario. 

A. Sedgwick, Ogden. 

W. L. Chaplin, Rochester. 

Roswell Hart, Brighton. 

Rev. L. H. Angier, Buffalo. 

" J. W. Taggart, Syracuse. 

" P. Powers", Knowlesville. 

John Taylor, Rochester. 

Rev. B. B. Gray, Brighton. 

" J. E. Cole, South Chili. 

John Cady, Kingsdale, Mass. 

Rev. John Selmser, Lockport. 

" A. T. Hopkins, Buffalo. 

0. P. Ramsdell, " 

T. Burwell, " 

J. D. White, " 

Rev. R. De Forest, Rochester. 

" R. W. Hill, East Bloornfield. 

" S. S. Hayward, S. Trenton, Oneida 

Pliny Allen, New- York. [Co. 

0. N. Bush, Rochester. 

Henry Brewster, Le Roy. 

Rev. Mr. Mulhauser, Rochester. 

P. B.Cook, " 

J. M. Goodman, " 

Willis Kempshall, " 

Milton Sheldon, Mendon. 

James Seymour, Rochester. 

Mortimer Strong, " 

Rev. Jacob Burbank, Marion. 

" Philo Wood worth, Buffalo. 

Samuel Wilkeson, " 

E. F. Smith,. Rochester. 

D. R. Barton, " 

Charles Simmons, N. Wrentham^Ma^s. 

E. Darwin Smith, Rochester. 

Rev. J. J. Slocum, ManJius. 

Johnson Flail, Syracuse. 

A. Bates, " 

Ebenezer Walker, Le Roy. 

Enos Bachelor, " 

1. F. Mack, Rochester. 

R. V. Robbins, « 



B8 

V. Smalley, * . . . ,Bi/ro7i. 

Rev. John J. Shippen, ► , ,Biiffalo. 

J. T- Orton, 

Nathan Huntington, - <,.. ^Rochester, 

James K. Livingston, ..,..-... " 

Charles J. Hill, - 

Charles M. Lee, • " 

Virgil Reed, ..-.., Ogden. 

Rev. W. C. Wisner, Lockport. 

" D. K. Gaily, ..Rochester. 

Moses Long, " 

"R. Wv Goold, Brockport. 

Henry Dwight, Geneva. 

Rev. Moses Gillet, Sweden. 

Philemon Canfield, Rochester. 

Everard Peck, " 

Moses Chapin, " 

L. A. Ward, " 

Moses King, " 

William Atkinson, " 

Rev. H. Wallis, Gates. 

E. W. Kellogg, Auburn. 

R. flollister, Le Roy. 

Peter Cherry, ».- Rochester. 

Ralph Clapp, Parma. 

D. Ward, Le Roy. 

Anastin Day, . ., ,.Holley. 

Rev. A. S. Shaver, Rochester. 

Richard B. Thomas, 

John Rohinson, Webster. [ctry. 

G. F. Needham, ;....,. Union ThcG.^Semin- 

Charles -W. Torrey, Rochester. 

James Woodhouse, ^., " 

Hervey Lyon, " 

Joshua Tripp, Parma. 

Lee Comstock, Le Roy. 

"Samuel- Skinner, " 

H. Stanwood, Rush. 

' Rev. B. B^ Stockton, Brockport. 

P. B. Ripleyy Livonia. 

William C. Bloss, ..^Rochester. 

William T. Torrey,... ^,.. . . ..... .Murray. 

Azel Ensworth, Rochester. 

.Lemuel Brooks, , Webster. 

Alvah Strong, .Rochester. 

John Biden, Jun.,.. . .^., " 

Frederiok Lowell, " 

Piatt Smith, 

D. B. Loder, 

H. A. Brewster,.. " 

ThomasWeddle, ..»..,... 



89 

Rev. Thomas Carlton, Rochester. 

Lyman Manley, Ontario, Wayne Co. 

•Samuel Hamilton Ixochcstcr. 

John C. Nash, " 

J. C. Morse, Loclport. 

(Teorge Beach, c 

Rev. J. ivf . Sherwood, Mendm. [ Co. 

" W. N. Benedict,. » Richmond, Ontario 

" James D. Moore, Black Rock. 

" R. K. Conklin, « Pike, Allegany Co. 

A. C. Ford, ^. East Victor. 

Rev. Cyrus Hudson, Mount Morris. 

Rev. J. Copeland, , Lima. 

E. Ford, Victor. 

Rev. L. W. Billington Scottsville. 

R. B. Hickok, Buffalo. 

Rev. A. H. Stowell, East Avon. 

Harry Pratt, , Rochester. 

"William S. Bishop, " 

Rev. L. Brewster, Livonia. 

" M. P. Squires, Geneva. 

Charles Church, Ogden. 

Rev. O. S. Powell, Cincinnati, O, 

" E. Whitney, New-York. 

N. H. Gardner, Bvffalo. 

•G. L. Hubbard, " 

George Davis,, . . .^ " 

Parker Buel, Honeoye Falls. 

■ George E. Delavan, Penjield. 

Rev. J. Plopkins, , , Aubtrrn. 

J. S. Bartlett, " 

T. M.Hunt, .., , '^ 

Horace Hotchkiss, " 

H. H. Cooley, , ^' 

Rev. G. R. Rudd, " 

^' T. R. Townsend, ^' 

IX L. Pickard Niagara County. 

Rev. N. W. -Fisher, Palmyra. 

George N. TifFt, .Holly. 

Thomas V. Sullivan, Osicego. 

-Rev. D. D. Buck, ^,LeRoy. 

" C. S. Baker, .ChUi. 

Ohauncey Nash, ..Rochester. 

H.Hall, « 

S. Wetherell, ^ " 

Benjamin Tabor, Buffalo. 

D. Fellows, Jun., Spencerpoft. 

Rev. John M. Eraser, Vermont. 

" Stephen Porter, ^ Castleton. 

Leonard Adams, Rochester. 

Alanson Cook, " 



« 



Note. — The various speeches contained herein, with the exceptioEij 
of tiiat of the Rev. M]-, Stillman, are published as given in the notes^ 
of the Reporter. 



APPENDIX 



Rochester, March 24, 1842, 

To the Forwarders of Merchandize upon the Erie Canal : 

We, the subscribers, business men of the city of Rochester, 
feeling ourselves deeply impressed with the propriety and duty of 
keeping the Sabbath-day holy, respectfully request you so to ar- 
range your business upon the canal, as not to render it necessary that 
individuals in your employment should be required to violate this 
command, " Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days 
shalt tliou labour, and do all thy work ; but the seventh day is the 
Sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, 
nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant ■, 
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." 



H. A. Brewster, 
W.AV. Brewster & Co. 
Pierce & Osborne, 
G. A. Avery & Co., 
J. D. Jones, 
William Pitkin, 
Philip Thurber, 
Church & Ball, 

Spencerport, 
Charles Hendrix, 
Avery,Thurber & Co., 
Swan & Wells, 
E. Huntington, 
Avery & Burke, 
C. A. Burr, 
H. C. Fenn, 
Barton 6z; Smith, 
C, Averv & Co., 
Hall & Roberts, 
S. W. Haight & Co., 
E. F. Smith (fe Co., 
James K. Livingston, 
John Fairbanks & Co., 
Lyman Cook & Co., 
Abram Truax, 
G.W.Burbank&Co., 
N. H. Oatley, 



J. McMillen & Co., 
P. W. Jennings, 

B. P. Robinson, 
Samuel Hamilton, 
Timothy Chapman, 
F. F. Parker, 

D. P. Powers, 
Edward Bardwell, 
Stephen Y. Ailing, 
Jacob Graves, 
William Andrews, 
Hiram Banker, 

S. B. Stoddard, 
F. W. Lincoln, 

E. D. Shelmire, 

C. Truman, 
Henry C. Church, 
Ebenezer Watts, 
A. Murray, 
Daniel Welch, 
G.W. Fisher & Co,, 
Erastus Cook, 

J. H. Hayes, 
George Byington, 
James Henderson, 
Thomas J. Patterson, 
Smhh & Allcott, 



Samuel Richardson, 
P. P. Peck, 
A. B. Brown, 
H. Lyon, 
Sage & Pancost, 
M. Dyer & Co., 
Hervey Lyon, 
A. J. Brackett & Co., 
Seth C. Jones & Co., 
J. E. Congdon, 
C. W. Dundas, 
Sholtus & Gray, 
George A. Wilkin, 
Patrick Kearney, 
M. B. Bateham, 
John F. Bush, 
Louis Chapin, 
G. A. Madden, 
J. M. Winslow, 
John Stitt, 
Charles J. Hill, 
H. B. Williams, 
Preston Smith & Co., 
N. Lyman, 
Thomas Kempshall, 
William Cook, 
Cheney & Hunter, 



IVilliam C. Foster, 
H. Stanwood & Co., 
V. R. Rowe, 
Sibley & Scrantom, 
R. Richardson, 
' James Gorsline, 
M. B. Edson, 
James H. Palmer, 
Thomas Barnard, 
Joseph Hall, 



B2 



R. B. Thomas, J. & D. Hawks & Co,, 

H. Ely, H. Warren, 

Frederick Starr, J. H. Lockwood, 

T. A. Parker, Kempshall feKnapp, 

Rufus Keeler, J. L. Lucas, 

N. B. Merick, Walter S. Griffifch, 

D. Dickey, Charles Morton, 
Wm. P. 6z H. Stanton, Brittin & Wilder, 

W. C. Storrs, Hitchcock & Wapples, 

John Haywood, David Hoyt. 



Rochester,- March 24, 1842. 
Gentlemen : 

Enclosed, I have the satisfaction to present to you the request 
^of a large number of Merchants and Millers of this city, that your 
Board of Forwarders, as a body, would so arrange their business as 
not to render it necessary that those now in your employ, should be 
required to violate the Sabbath. The wisdom of the command '• to 
keep it holy," cannot fail to be admired by all who understand the 
physiology of our natures ; and the Christian who appreciates the 
propriety of obeying God's law, is. pained at the impunity with which 
'it is profaned. Very few Merchants to whom this has been presented, 
^have refused their sanction ; and many others whom we know person- 
ally to favor the object, have not had an opportunity to sign it. Hop- 
ing that this expression will not fail to receive from your board that fa- 
vorable consideration its merits demand. 

In behalf of Bethel Cofinnnittee, 

I -remain your obedient servant, 

H. A. BREWSTER, 

Secretary, 
To THE Board of Forwarders, Rochester. 



Subsequent to the preceding, the following circular was circula- 
ted among the citizens of Rochester, and obtained the signatures 
hereunto attached. 

The .undersigned citizens of Rochester, interested in the travelling 
and transportation upon our rail-roads and canals, hereby express our 
opinion that the prosecution of these employments upon the Sabbath 
day is unaiithorised by any necessity, and much to be lamented as a 
violation of the lawsx^f God and of this State. And we earnestly 
recommend to the proprietors of -all the rail-roads, stages, and trans- 
portation lines, with all others engaged in labor and business on that 
day, its immediate discontinuance, that this whole people may enjoy 
the benefits resulting from " remembering the Sabbath day to keep it 
holy," as God has commanded. 
Aristarchus Champion, 'Isasc Hills, 

• O. Hastings, A. Reynolds, 

HenryScmntom, »Oren Sa^e, 



9J 



Vincent Mathews, 

irv^th C. Jones, 

Thomas B. [lusbaud, 

E. Peck, 

R. M. Dalzell, 

(reoriie GoiiUl, 

VVilliatu riiUin, 

Henry Caely, 

J. J. Robins, 

C Morse, 

A. Gardiner, 

M. F. Delano, 

JohnStitt, 

William Burke, 

Carlton M. Averv, 

J: W. GUbert, 

J.' M. Sohernierhori:^ 

Sidney Allen, 

Chauneey Nash, 

E. A. Hopkins, 

T. F. Hall, 

G. H. Roberts, 

Samuel D. Porier, 

a Allison, 

W. \V. Bryan, 

John St roup, 

Phineas B. Cook, 

Sibley tfc Scrantom, 

S. G. Andrews, 

George Byington, 

George W. Pratt. 

J. D. Husbiinds, 

J. Child, 

C. Dewey, 

Azel Ensworth. 

J. M. Fish, 

E. N. Buell, 

R. B. Thomas, 

M. Mead, 

W. H. Cheney, 

Frederick Starr, 

William Ailing, 

George W. BeardsL^e, 

Alpha Chapin, 

N. Cleaveland Bradstreet, 

John H. Thompson, 

Charles L. Clarke, 

Henry W. Davis, 

Hervev Lvon, 

W. W'. Reid, 

Jn. T. Talman. 



D. Scoville, 
Jacob Gould, 
Abner Wakelee, 
H. A. Brewster, . 
Moses Chapin, 
Sanuiel MiJler, 
Joseph Higgins, 
lievi Pierce, 
Samuel B.. Chase, 
J. A. Eastman, 
P. P. Peck, 

O N. Bush, 
Edmund Lyon, 
Samuel Hamilton, 
Lowell Bi\llen, 

E. Peshine Smith, 
William W. Brev/jter, 
A. W. Riley, 

E. Pomerov, 
E. D. Smith, 
Roderick Wales, . 
J. K. Livinnjston, 
G. H. Mumford, 
George R. Clarke, 
Barton ^i' Smith, 
Samuel Richardson, 
GvA. Hoi lister, 
A. Becker, 
T.B.Forsyth, 
Joseph Fr.rley, 
Ni G. Squier, 
William J. Southerin, 
C. A. Burr, 
William iS. Bishop, 
John Allen, 
James W. Thomas, 
E. D. Shelmire, 
E. Cook, 
H. K. Jerome, 
Rufus ^leech, 
Rufus Keelcr, 
C. M. Lee, 
L. Farrar, 
E. Pancost, 
L. A. Ward. 
W. S. Phil pot, 
N. T. Rochester, 
Charles W. Dundas, 
A. G. Bristol .V Co., 
Silas H. Frink, 
Alvah Strong, 



m 



W. E. Lathrop, 
Ashley Sampson, 
J. H. Hayes, 
John Fairbanks, 
William A. Welles, 
E. F. Smith, 
James P. Steele, 
C. H. Sholtus, 

C. H. Bicknell, 
S. Garbutt, 

L. S. Chadwiek, 
Carlos Cobb, 
Robert Shields, 
G, A. Madden, 
J. H. Reward, 
M. Strong, 
Robert A. Wilson, 
Smith W. Arnold, 
S. F. Witherspoon, 
H. L. Achilles, 
James Henderson, 
Henry M. Ward, 
John G. Gray, 
Lyman Potter, 
James Chappell, 
Alexander Kelsey, 
Richard Dibble, 
Thomas J. Patterson, 

A. B. BrQ\vn, 
Comus Dyer, 
M. Dyer & Co., 
H. B. Sherman, 
Stoddard & FreemaHj 

D. H. Osborn, 

B. P. Robinson, 
Geo. Shelton, 
Lyman Cook, 
T. B. Hamilton, 
H. L. Stevens, 
B. R M'Alpine, 
H. A. Tucker, 
J. H. Tucker, 
A. H. Redding, 
J. B. Dewey, 
W. W. Allcott, 
Marcus Morse, 

J. C. Rich & Co., 
John Van Brunt, 



Enos Stone, 
F. M. Haight, 
Ira Carpenter, 
Frank H. Hamilton, 
William C. Storrs, 
Alfred Ely, 
Peter Cherry, 
Selah Mathews, 
James C. Wells, 
E. K. Blyth, 
M. B. Seward, 
E. Huntington, 
A. E. Pardee, 
Elias Weed, 
H. C. Fenn, 
Ellery S. Treat, 
M. H. Blood, 
Nathan Lyman, 
Samuel B, Dewe)'', 
Timothy Chapman, 
Titus Goodman, 
J. B. Bennett, 
James Brackett, 
Samuel Hamilton, 
N, B. Mirick, 
Ira Haskins, 
L. & H. Churchill, 
William Graves, 
Ephraim Moore, 
H. Humphrey, 
Abraham Truax, 
Aaron Erickson, 
J. H. Palmer, 
James O'Maly, 
John Hawks, 
Lewis H. Ailing, 
E. H. Grover, 
H. Banker, 
Erastus Shepard, 
George A. Avery, 
George W. Parsons, 
Rich, Ellison, & Co., 
J&cdb Graves, 
Charles J. Hill, 
Elisha D. Ely, 
Jehiel Towner, 
H. Wells, 
H. Ely. 



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